Athens, GA (April 25, 2007) — Plans are underway for the 23rd annual Gardens of the World Ball set for Saturday, May 5, 2007, at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Sponsored by the Garden’s Board of Advisors, the premier fund-raising event will take guests on a whimsical journey through magical lands as three beloved stories of American literature unfold — The Wizard of Oz, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. On this enchanted evening, the tales will combine to form one epic legend featuring The Land of Oz, Wonderland and Neverland.
Co-chaired by Mrs. Jeffrey P. Small and Mrs. Stephen D. Kane of Atlanta, the Ball will reflect the legendary theme through dramatic floral decorations, creative décor and elaborate table settings in the Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center & Conservatory. Garden patrons will dine amid the backdrop of a three-story conservatory filled with hundreds of tropical and semi-tropical plants.

The journey to Legendary Lands begins with cocktails and a silent auction chaired by Mrs. J. Martin Turbidy of Sea Island. The auction will feature an array of vacation homes and travel opporutunities, original and decorative art, jewelry, sports offerings and unique home & garden accessories. Guests will enjoy entertainment throughout the evening culminating in the sounds of the popular dance band, Reflections.

A unit of the University of Georgia, The State Botanical Garden of Georgia fosters appreciation, understanding and stewardship of plants and nature through collections and displays, horticultural gardens, educational programs and research. “With its primary focus on education, the Garden is a ‘living laboratory’ where people of all ages can view first-hand the beauty and diversity of plants,” said Jeff Lewis, garden director. “The Garden is one of Georgia’s state museums attracting 200,000 visitors annually. As a public, nonprofit organization, the Garden encourages plant conservation, habitat protection and preservation of our natural environment.”

Mellon’s Private Wealth Management Group of Atlanta will be the Presenting Diamond Sponsor for the 2007 Gardens of the World Ball. Other corporate sponsorships are available at three levels: Platinum, $15,000; Gold, $10,000; and Silver, $5,000. Sponsors receive complimentary Ball tickets, an invitation to attend the Patron party, extensive recognition in Garden publications and a variety of other benefits. The annual Ball benefits a diverse array of outreach, educational and research programs at the Garden. “Corporate sponsorship is a key element in the financial success of the Ball, the results of which have helped us become a leading university-affiliated botanical garden in the Southeast and one of the outstanding public gardens in the country,” Lewis said.

For additional sponsorship information, please contact Andrea Parris, Director of Development, at 706-542-6150 or . For information about the State Botanical Garden, please visit their website at www.uga.edu/botgarden.
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This article was posted on Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 at 9:13 am and is filed under Event, News.