story and photos by Nancy Peevy, special to The City Wire
Beautiful flowers, interesting art and delicious food and drinks made for the perfect evening for the 300 guests at Moonflowers and Mojitos at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville on Tuesday (June 16).
“The idea (behind this event) is that we want people to come and see the garden and see its beauty and see everything that’s blooming,” said Ron Cox, executive director of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. “It’s an opportunity also to have a good time while you are out in the garden.”
Even though they had to dodge a few raindrops, guests enjoyed strolling through the garden full of summer blooms. Then they gathered under white tents on the terrace where waiters mixed through the crowd, serving hors d’oeuvres such as chicken fried bacon and deviled eggs prepared by GC Catering. Guests lined up to sample Mojitos, the signature cocktail of the evening donated by Wedington Liquor, and could taste other frosty drinks offered by Apple Blossom Brewing Company.
The evening also included an art show featuring the paintings of Fayetteville artists MM Kent, Christina Mariotti and Karolyn Farrell. Guests could visit with the artists and purchase their work, with a commission supporting the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. Mariotti said it was natural for her to be a part of an event supporting the garden, because much of her inspiration for her paintings of flowers comes from enjoying the beauty of the colorful flowers there.
Throughout the event, guests swayed and danced to the beat of the music of Bill Dollar and the Loose Change.
Liz Esch, special events coordinator for the Garden, said Moonflowers and Mojitos is a “friend-raiser,” an event that raises money for the Garden. She said that local businesses provided everything needed for the event, so the admission fee ($20 for members and $25 for non-members) goes directly to support education programs and the operation of the Garden. Organizers hoped to raise between $5,000 and $6,000 from the event.
“Everything is donated, from the stamps to the alcohol,” she said. “We only had to buy ice.”
Intents Party Rentals was the main sponsor for the evening. GC Catering, Apple Blossom Brewing Company, Coca-Cola, Digital Design Services, Citiscapes, MailCo USA, Nash FM94.3, Power105.7, Wedington Liquor, Just Us Printers, Cole Fennell Photography, Friday’s Flowers and Gifts, News/Talk 1030KFAY-AM, 3W Magazine, Fly-N-Hog Media Group, and Bill Dollar and The Loose Change also donated to the event.