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The South Florida festivals and events industry brings fun, entertainment, great fundraising opportunities and incredible economic impact. Members of the Greater Miami Festivals & Events Association can certainly attest to that whose members were recently invited to a behind the scenes look at the Coconut Grove Festival on Presidents Day by CGAF Executive Director Camille Marchese. This year’s festival was better than ever with several great additions this writer had never seen. Aside from amazing juried art, there was a large children’s area that had a stage for performing arts and then a row of easels with supplies for kids to create paintings to take home. There were some amazing dance performances while we were in that location before moving on to a place for children to buy (at little cost) small art pieces donated exhibitors. No parents were allowed in to influence the children’s buy. Many will later remember this as their first purchase of art as a child.
The very next week was even busier, especially for Rita Tennyson. Rita co-chaired with Iris Segui the Coral Gables Woman’ Club’s Centennial Fashion Show & Brunch that was an amazing success with more than 100 guests attending. Rita’s RCatering, Iris Segui and their committee set the stage for an exciting afternoon as guests posed at a photo booth that made everyone look like they were on the front cover of a magazine created by Rita’s husband. Bubbly and brunch was topped off with an impressive fashion show featuring clothes from fashion designer Nathalie Moya’s Spring Collection as well as resort wear from Bloom Boutique and jewelry from club member Leticia Matheus’ company, LELÊ REIS Luxury Crystal Jewelry. During the affair Irina Pushkareva worked on a painting and one of her pieces was auctioned off for several hundred dollars adding to the funds to benefit the club’s free children’s dental clinic.
Days after that fashion show, Influencer events leading up to the weekend festival featured food from Chef Chris Valdes, R Catering, R Catering and products from Florida Dairy Farmers like Sutton’s ice cream, great cheeses and even a milk shake made with banana moonshine and fresh whip cream. It comes highly recommended.
South Florida’s General Federation of Women’s Club Florida District 11 had an Arts & Crafts Competition and Luncheon at the Coral Gables Woman’s Club with most all the 12 clubs represented to share their art and brag about their many charitable outreach efforts. That meeting also served to announce the District 11’s Volunteer of the Year, Irene Munroe, from the Coconut Grove Woman’s Club. She will represent District 11 at the state convention where she will vie for the state award against other district award winners. Congratulations Irene!
Finally, look for coverage of many fun events from the Villagers Tour of the Gardens that began at Pinecrest Gardens to the CGWC’s March 7 Gringo Bingo whose proceeds are being shared by the Coral Gables Woman’s Club with Shelter Box, a global non-profit that sends boxes to natural disaster areas. Currently thousands of these boxes containing tents and essentials as well as clothing, blankets, etc. are being sent by Shelter Box to the victims of the Turkey/ Syria earthquakes.
Until next time, share your talents and make a difference and be kind!
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