Garden of Eden Ball will be eco-chic

At the Atlanta Botanical Garden, even those responsible for the biggest social event of the season are thinking green. As the Garden expands with new  environmentally sustainable facilities to open next year, what better theme for its 2008 Garden of Eden Ball than Bell’acqua, an eco-chic salute to that increasingly precious resource, “beautiful water.”

The 27th annual ball, chaired by Terance and Jennifer Fowler, is presented by Peachtree Hills Place, an upscale residential community in Buckhead for people ages 55 and older seeking a secure, independent lifestyle. The tented event will be held Saturday, Sept. 27 from 7 p.m. until midnight on the Garden’s Great Lawn.

 As a special tribute, the ball will honor Mrs. J.B. (Dottie) Fuqua, who, along with her late husband, J.B. Fuqua, has been one of the Garden’s most dedicated and generous supporters. Her family’s name graces both the Fuqua Conservatory and the Fuqua Orchid Center.

“It’s very meaningful for Terance and me to chair the ball and to honor my grandmother, who has done so much for the Garden,” said Jennifer Fuqua Fowler. “We want to highlight all the wonderful exhibits and displays and give our guests a preview of the new facilities and features that will open soon.”

With décor and flowers by Atlanta event designers Kathy Rainer and Tricky Wolfes of  Parties To Die For, this year’s ball begins in the Parterre Garden with cocktails and entertainment, and progresses to the Great Lawn, where the lavishly decorated tent will emphasize a color scheme of blues, greens and aquas. Guests will be treated to a grand dinner catered by A Legendary Event before dancing to the sounds of the 17-piece orchestra Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters.

As the Garden’s largest fund-raising event, the ball, which draws more than 450 guests annually, supports the Garden’s mission to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, conservation and enjoyment. Tickets are $400 each. To request an invitation, contact Anne Fair Woodward, the Garden’s development events manager, at (404) 591-1575.