Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden held its 15th annual Gala in the Garden. Co-chairs for this year’s black-tie fundraiser were Bunny Bastian and Teresa Buoniconti. Jean duPont Shehan served as Honorary Chairman, with Anna May Conese, Frances Aldrich Sevilla-Sacasa, Brenda Nestor Castellano and Swanee DiMare as Philanthropic Chairmen and Barbara Tria as Silent Auction Chairman.

This year’s Gala in the Garden for 450 guests began with cocktails and a highlight of the evening, a silent auction, in the Northern Trust Ballroom of the Jean duPont Shehan Visitor Center. Guests proceeded to a large lakeside pavilion for dining and dancing to the music of The Peter Duchin Orchestra, one of the most sought after bands of the modern era who returned after last year’s much talked about performance.

Along with catering the event, Le Basque Catering in association with Karla Productions, created the modern, innovative décor with orange, purple, hot pink and emerald green fabrics draped throughout the pavilion, creating a contemporary themed atmosphere. Brightly colored gerber daises were used for table centerpieces. The centerpieces were donated to a local hospital. Gala guests enjoyed a spectacular evening in the stunning tropical landscape while they also supported the vital work of Fairchild. Proceeds from Gala in the Garden support the advancement of Fairchild’s programs in education, research and conservation.

Guests included: Sheldon & Florence Anderson, Adrienne Arsht, Bunny Bastian & James Murphy, Nancy & Jon Batchelor, Trish & Dan Bell, Julia & David Bianchi, Paula & Bob Brockway, Teresa Buoniconti & Richard Lancaster, Joyce & Tony Burns, Brenda Nestor Castellano and Robert Castellano, Sylvia & Tom Collins, Eugene Conese, Swanee and Paul DiMare, Jean duPont Shehan, Evelyn & Bruce Greer, Kirk Landon & Pamela Garrison, Lin Lougheed & Aaron Fleischman, Mike Maunder & Sawsan Khuri Maunder, Sue and Peter Metzger, Darlyne & Jorge Perez, Mary Jean & Lou Risi, Manny & Irene Rodriguez, Frances & Eugenio Sevilla-Secasa, Penny & Roe Stamps, Barbara & Vinnie Tria, Angela Whitman, Virginia & Willard Wheeler, Libby and Gene Witherspoon.

Save the date for Gala in the Garden 2009 scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2009.