Botanic garden’s Autumn Magic party
As if on cue, autumn arrived on a brisk breeze for Blossom — Autumn Magic at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden in Oakdale on Thursday.
Over 200 guests celebrating the autumn equinox strolled from the welcome center to the Garden of the Five Senses, passing dancers from Point Park University School of Dance dressed as flowers and drummers. Many carried the evening’s signature libation, a vodka, pear puree and thyme concoction.
“It is just wonderful to be at the garden for this new event because we have this vibrancy with the new welcome center opened,” said Beth Athol, a former board member. Passed hors d’oeuvres and hello from executive director Keith Kaiser were the only things that interrupted the lively socializing.
“It was 2015 when we opened to the public and the growth we have experienced in the last three years has just been phenomenal,” Kaiser said. “We are excited to have this event here and support the garden through the community.”
After cocktails, guests made their way to the Davidson Event Center and Peirce Celebration Garden, where a tent with twinkling lights was set up for a botanically inspired dinner. It all ended with a toast to the autumn equinox, and dessert and thanks to Highmark Health, the presenting sponsor.
“It is such a pleasure to be here in Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, which is just loaded with wonderful, natural things to see,” said Basil Cox, with Jayne Adair.
Feeling the same were Nancy and Dick Zappala, Barbara and Dan Eichenlaub, Carolyn and Scott Sanford, Bev and Steve Elliott, Connie George and Mike Meyer, Suzy and Jim Broadhurst, Michele and Elie Saad, Daisy and Saurabh Tripathi, Cynthia Carrow and Jim Kyper, Jeanne and Dick Berdik and Lindsay Bond Totten.