More than 400 guests turned out Saturday evening for a night under the big top at the St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School’s 37th annual auction and dinner benefiting the school's in-house financial aid programs. The circus-themed festivities kicked off at 5:30 p.m., with a silent auction for 450 parents and alumnae followed by a seated dinner for 350.
A “Step Right Up” sign and oversized balloons accented the rooms housing the silent auction, which comprised high-end bottles of wine and works of art in the school's main building, while the main event was held in gymnasium. Andre Wells of Events by Andre Wells, whose son attends St. Patrick’s, designed the event for the third year in a row. Wells said he wanted the event to be “colorful and playful, but still elegant at the same time.”
Upon entering the dinner portion of the evening, guests were greeted by a concessions stand, which included a vintage popcorn maker, and were treated to a specialty cocktail, the “Circustini” made with white cranberry, passion fruit juices, and vodka. Dinner, catered by Occasions, consisted of three “Acts” including a chvere and potatoes with grilled prawns; boneless beef shortribs with a tomato marmalade, haricot verts with wild shallots and thyme mushrooms with cheese grits; and a lemon cheese cake with strawberry rhubarb and basil sauce.
"We want every part of the dinner to feel like you are in a circus tent,” said Wells. To do so, Wells draped fabric in primary colors from the center of the ceiling to the walls and set up tables around a center-stage for Daily Caller founder Tucker Carlson, who also has a son who attends the school, to serve as auctioneer.
Wells adorned the tables in bright red, yellow, and blue linens with oversized cutouts of elephant, giraffe, and zebra heads as centerpieces.
Party-goers lingered at the after-party until about 1 a.m.
