At the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's Butterfly Ball on May 6, guests were encouraged to hit up as many exhibits as possible—all while juggling mojitos and Calihan Catering appetizers. Executive vice president Marc Miller was the in-house planner; co-chairs were Cate and Rick Waddell, Kim and Greg Wasson, and Lisa and Charles Tribbett. The event drew 650 guests and raked in $1.53 million.
During the cocktail reception, partygoers aimed to get as many stamps as possible on their "Passport to Nature and Science" cards, which directed them to areas including the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven and the new "Nature's Architects" exhibit, which explores structures built by animals and insects. After getting at least two stamps, guests dropped their passports into baskets; the owners of the passport that was drawn won a trip on United Airlines.
Event Creative designer Jeffrey Foster paid homage to the Nature's Architects exhibit by hanging golden honeycombs over the dance floor and using the shapes as the backdrop for the band. He also incorporated origami butterflies into centerpieces filled with peach French tulips, and topped cocktail tables with beeswax candles.
