The Community Garden Charitable Fund will host the ninth annual Spring Soiree at Pinecrest Gardens on March 7 with a special concert performance by Grammy Award-nominated reggae artist Julian Marley. Festivities at the fundraising event start at 7:30 p.m.
The Garden Fund is an all-volunteer organization that works throughout the year to make the Spring Soiree a reality and a special evening that benefits the Gardens and the community. Over the years, the Garden Fund has funded 17 enhancement projects throughout the Garden, including revitalization of botanical aspects of the Garden and the restoration of Swan Lake and the Red Road entrance Bromeliad Project. The funding of the Swan Lake project enabled the removal of some unsightly concrete retaining blocks that defined a feeding area for the flamingos of the old Parrot Jungle, and the installation of native limestone rocks to complete the border around the lake, restoring it to a more natural appearance.
Pinecrest Gardens horticulturist Craig Morell says the result is a “markedly improved appearance of the lake.” Morell also proposed that funding efforts be directed to the Red Road Entrance project that has transformed the grassy area along the entrance into a diverse beautiful bromeliad garden.
“It is not only reminiscent of the Parrot Jungle era, but pays homage to the Jungle’s horticulturist, Nat DeLeon, a world-renowned bromeliad grower and friend of the Garden,” said Craig Morell.
This year’s Spring Soiree will feature an open bar for cocktails and an appetizer/dessert reception sponsored by Bacardi USA and wine served courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Other sponsors include the Village of Pinecrest, the Marley Family and Miami’s Community Newspapers. The reception will be followed by an intimate evening in the Banyan Bowl with a special performance by Julian Marley, a singersongwriter, producer and humanitarian, and the son of the legendary late Bob Marley.
Ticket prices for the Soiree begin at $60 and premium seating tickets are $75. Tickets include the cocktail-andappetizer reception. For information or to purchase tickets, go to www.gardenfund.org or call 305-669-1028. All proceeds from the Community Garden Fund Spring Soiree Concert benefit Pinecrest Gardens.
