Hahn Horticulture Garden to 'roll out the red carpet' for the fifth annual Garden Gala on June 13
The Hahn Horticulture Garden will host a "Red Carpet Gala" on Saturday, June 13, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the garden on Washington Street on the Virginia Tech campus. This year's gala will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the garden's founding in 1984.
The garden will be specially decorated for the gala, including a red-carpet entrance complete with clamoring paparazzi. Guests will be greeted with champagne in a commemorative glass. The HokieBird, dressed in black-tie, will also make a special appearance.
“Guests will enjoy gourmet hors d'oeuvres, delightful drinks, and live music while they stroll through the garden,” said Holly Scoggins, associate professor of horticulture at Virginia Tech and director of the Hahn Horticulture Garden. “Elegant casual attire is fine, no jeans or shorts please, but feel free to ‘glam it up’ for this festive evening.”
This year’s honorary hosts are Robert Lyons, former Virginia Tech garden director and current director of the Longwood Gardens graduate program in public horticulture at the University of Delaware, and Robert McDuffie, Virginia Tech associate professor of horticulture. Peggy Lee Hahn will serve as the honorary gala chair.
“This is a great opportunity for alumni and the many others who have been associated with the garden over the years to honor the founding faculty, Robert Lyons and Robert McDuffie,” said Scoggins. “So many of the garden features you see today are the result of their creativity and also their dedication to providing hands-on experience to students.”
The fundraising effort includes a silent auction featuring an array of unusual plants, art, and other garden items. A short program in celebration of the anniversary will cap the evening.
“Proceeds from the gala are critical to helping fund our student workers and interns, educational programs, and garden renovations,” said Scoggins. The garden serves an important role in the education of students in the horticulture and other undergraduate programs, as well as providing many other educational and outreach programs.
Tickets are $50 per person; order before June 5 to ensure delivery. To request tickets or for more information, visit the garden online, call (540) 231-5970, or e-mail the garden’s staff.
