SAVE THE DATE ANNOUNCEMENT
The First Edition of the Most Sought-after Secret Event Coming to South Georgian Bay Saturday, September 8, 2018!
South Georgian Bay, July 9, 2018 – From global phenomenon to highly sought-after “secret”, Le Dîner en Blanc will take over one of South Georgian Bay’s public spaces on Saturday, September 8th for the first ever installment of this refined pop-up epicurean event.
Close to 180,000 foodies and cultural enthusiasts around the world have already embraced this unique event. As stated very eloquently by the New York Times: “There are picnics and there are PICNICS”. This très chic picnic is equal parts mystery tour, pop-up feast and je ne sais quoi. On June 3rd of this year, Le Diner en Blanc de Paris marked its 30th anniversary! A record 17,000 guests from Paris and around the world gathered at the Esplanade des Invalides to celebrate this historic moment. Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc de Paris now attracts over 10,000 people each year. What began as a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international epicurean sensation in 80 cities in 30 countries. While the technology behind the event has changed over the years, the principles fuelling this fantastic event have not: guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful locations.
In essence, Le Dîner en Blanc promotes friendship, elegance and gallantry. Over the course of the evening, guests experience the beauty and value of one their city’s public spaces by participating in the unexpected.
“After attending Le Dîner en Blanc for the first time in Calgary in 2015, I fell in love with the event and vowed that if I ever had the opportunity, I would bring it home to share the magic of this event with my friends, family and local community,” says Lori D’Agostino, co-host of Le Dîner en Blanc – South Georgian Bay.
“We felt South Georgian Bay was primed for such an event as an increase of interest in culinary, artistic and cultural experiences have been noted over the past few years,” says Steven Vipond, co-host of Le Dîner en Blanc – South Georgian Bay, and co-owner/operator of Crow.Bar & Variety in Collingwood and Bruce Wine Bar in Thornbury.
“I was attracted to the social aspect of the event; that it is deeply rooted in friendship, organic growth, in community and that it celebrates and honours our shared public spaces in a new and interesting way” says co-host Lisa Farano, community investment specialist.
To maintain its uniqueness as well as staying true to the tradition of Le Dîner en Blanc, guests must observe certain requirements and follow a few key rules:
To participate in this first edition: guests must be invited via the hosts’ network or participating partners or get on waiting list via the official website at southgeorgianbay.dinerenblanc.com/register.
Dress code: elegant and white only. Originality and creativity are encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful.
Table setting: all white! (Metal accents in Gold and Silver are permitted).
Champagne and wine only. (As per Ontario liquor & alcohol laws/regulations, guests cannot bring their own alcohol. Guests wishing to enjoy some wine or Champagne, can reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store. Guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages).
To ensure that the location is kept secret until the last minute, guests meet at assigned departure locations and are escorted by Dîner en Blanc volunteers.
In order to leave the event location as clean as when they arrived, guests are required to leave with all their belongings, leftovers and litter.
Guests must bring:
A foldable table, two (white) foldable chairs, a white tablecloth and white linen napkins.
A picnic basket comprising fine food and proper stemware, flatware and white dinnerware. (An option to pre-order food, which can be picked up at the site, will be available for those who do not wish to pack their own picnic baskets, catered by Crow.Bar & Variety and Bruce Wine Bar. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc website during the intial ticket registration.
For full details on the rules and regulations, please visit southgeorgianbay.dinerenblanc.com.
About Le Dîner en Blanc International
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in 80 cities in 30 countries around the world. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair. For more info, photos y videos of Dîner en Blanc events from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.
About the Hosts of Le Dîner en Blanc – South Georgian Bay
The hosting team for Le Dîner en Blanc – South Georgian Bay is composed of Lori D’Agostino, Lisa Farano and Steven Vipond. Lori D’Agostino is an award-winning events professional with over twenty years experience producing some of the largest events in Canada. She has recently launched her own company: Momento Events based in South Georgian Bay, with the ability to work on events regionally, nationally and internationally. Lisa Farano is a community investment specialist and social entrepreneur who co-created one of the largest children’s charities in Canada and now runs her own consulting company LIsa Farano Consulting. Steven Vipond is co-owner of two of the best rated restaurants in South Georgian Bay including Bruce Wine Bar and Crow.Bar & Variety in addition to running Kingpost Builders a home and building company.
Le Dîner en Blanc – South Georgian Bay gratefully acknowledges Engel & Volkers and Biion Footwear as the official local partners of the inaugural edition of Le Dîner en Blanc – South Georgian Bay.
To keep up to date on event announcements via social media:
Facebook: DinerenBlanc.SoGeorgianBay & Instagram: dinerenblancsogeorgianbay #dinerenblanc #DEBSGB
For media requests, interviews or images, contact: Lori D’Agostino, Momento Events – phone.705.888.7205 – email. lori@momentoevents.ca - or media@southgeorgainbay.dinerenblanc.com
Anyone interested in volunteering to become a Group or Table Leader please contact: southgeorgianbay@dinerenblanc.com
