For CRPF special events director Linda Chastain, the key to
pulling off such an elaborate event, which raised $1.2 million, was the talent
of her vendors. “This event almost puts itself together,” Chastain said. “The
toughest thing for me is the guest list. [For] everything else, I rely on my
vendors.”
After an hour of cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, bagpiper Robert Mitchell ushered some 750 guests—including author Frank McCourt and Irish ambassador Noel Fahey—into the dining room. Before dinner commenced, three Irish step dancers from the Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance gave a surprise performance, and after dinner the band Odyssey took the stage.