Do It: Garden of Eden Ball

With the opening of new gardens and facilities at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, what better theme for the 2009 Garden of Eden Ball than “Sunrise: A New Day Dawns at the Garden.”

The 28th annual event, the Garden’s largest benefit, will be held Saturday evening, September 26 on the Great Lawn in a large tented ballroom surrounded by several gigantic bronze sculptures by British artist Henry Moore on display in the current exhibition, Moore in America. Event designers Kathy Rainer and Tricky Wolfes of Parties To Die For will transform the tent into a blaze of orange, yellow and pink evoking a brilliant Atlanta sunrise.

In announcing the ball’s theme, event chairs Jim and Susan Spratt said the choice salutes the Garden’s expansion, the first phase of which opened this spring with the new Hardin Visitor Center, SAGE Parking Facility and Southern Seasons Garden. The expansion is funded by a New Seasons Capital Campaign that has raised more than $45 million under the leadership of Jane and Dameron Black, this year’s honorary ball chairs.

The event kicks off at 7 p.m. with cocktails in the Levy Parterre, followed by a three-course dinner under the tent presented by A Legendary Event and dancing to the melodies of Rupert’s Orchestra.

Drawing more than 450 guests annually, the Garden of Eden Ball supports the Garden’s mission to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, conservation and enjoyment. For ticket information, contact Jennifer Wyrick at 404-591-1575 or jwyrick@atlantabotanicalgarden.org.