Don your pink and black and celebrate the season with Cherry Blossom Festival’s Spirits in the Courtyard
The Cherry Blossom Festival is bringing back a fall tradition with the Spirits in the Courtyard party on Thursday night.
“We did this party in 2009 for the first time and again last year,” said Linda Maddox, chairwoman for the event. “It’s always been at the Blacksmith Shop. It is such a pretty place and I think everyone who goes in will fall in love with it.”
The pink-and-black theme offers attendees the chance to dress their best, but without the pressure of coming up with a costume.
“Not everyone enjoys costumes, so we’ve decided to go with a pink-and-black theme. We will also have a free photo booth to memorialize people’s evening,” she said. “I look at it this way: I have a beautiful place to have a party. I am inviting you to come to my party, with your friends. I have taken care of the food and the alcohol, as well as the music and entertainment. ... Once you are done, you can go home and I will clean up.”
The ticket proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health; the silent auction items benefit the Cherry Blossom Festival. Auction items will include paintings, jewelry, gift certificates for a variety of businesses, as well as tickets to different events.
“This is a party that others can have for the simple cost of buying a ticket and the satisfaction of helping two worthy causes,” she said.
Even though the event is happening on a Thursday evening, Maddox said the party will end at 9 p.m., “so everyone can make it to work just fine the next day. It will be a good time.”
The event’s food comes from a variety of places, with different restaurants and caterers bringing different foods.
“Last year, we had a grits bar, which will be back,” Maddox said. “There wasn’t a single spoonful left. We also have food from several other wonderful restaurants. We will have beer and wine, of course, and the Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission will be serving pumpkin flavored coffee. CBF Royalty will be there, serving different items, too. They will come up with a beautiful table and serve specialty foods, usually sweets.”
Maddox said she realizes that this time of year there’s a lot of competition for people’s time and attention, but this event will be one to remember.
“This is one of our big fall fundraisers and we are working very hard to make sure it’s an event everyone will enjoy,” she said.
The “spirits” in the event’s title is a play on its October date and its Halloween feel, and also a nod to the evening’s drinks.
“Our sign shows a ghost having a glass of wine,” Maddox said.
To make the event even more intriguing, “there will be several groups of mystery guests who will help make the night a bit more fun. We don’t want to give away the surprise, but it will be an added bonus to meet and greet and take photos,” she said. “I just sent confirmation emails and I am very excited.”
Spirits in the Courtyard
When: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 8
Where: Blacksmith Shop, 665 Poplar St.
Cost: $45 in advance, $50 at the door
Information: www.cherryblossom.com
This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 11:22 AM with the headline "Don your pink and black and celebrate the season with Cherry Blossom Festival’s Spirits in the Courtyard ."