Friday, August 21st, Chicagoans will once again gather for "the secret picnic," also known as Diner en Blanc. The annual food festival where participants adorn themselves in all-white and gather at a secret location (only announced moments before the actual event) is already sold-out. You can, however, sign up for the waiting list (in case anyone cancels) or register now to be contacted for 2016's event. Over 1,300 foodies, fashion, and cultural enthusiasts attended the sold-out 2014 event at the Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Boardwalk, and over 1,500 are expected this year.
Coming aboard this year as one of DeB's major sponsors is none other than Celebrity "X" Cruises. The cruise line has been creating buzz around Chicago this past summer by participating in some of Chicago's most stellar events and granting equally stellar "experiences" to unsuspecting guests. If you can't guess what we're talking about, we mean free cruises, among other things!
"Our goal is to bring together the people of Chicago for a memorable evening in the city they love at a venue they may not normally be able to access for an elegant dinner with friends,” says James Wild co-organizer of Dîner en Blanc – Chicago. And that key element is why the Chicago event has been such a success, as exclaimed by popular Chicago blogger Cheryl Leahy, “Honestly, it was one of the most intriguing and magical (yes, I used the word magical, a word I have never used to describe ANYthing before) evenings I have ever had.”
True to tradition, onlookers will witness groups of guests (dressed in white) gathering at points across the city. Guided by Dîner en Blanc – Chicago volunteers, the groups converge at an iconic, outdoor Chicago location, travelling by foot and public transportation. Each guest brings a gourmet spread, table, chairs, and table setting – breaking out of normal routines to eat and celebrate amid music, entertainment, dancing, and many new friends.
The evening is filled with breathtaking moments including the napkin twirl to mark the beginning of the dinner and lighting of sparklers to indicate guests are free to mingle and dance. The end of the evening is marked with the sound of trumpets as guests pack up their belongings, pick up all their litter, and head back into the night, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry.
True to tradition, onlookers will witness groups of guests (dressed in white) gathering at points across the city. Guided by Dîner en Blanc – Chicago volunteers, the groups converge at an iconic, outdoor Chicago location, travelling by foot and public transportation. Each guest brings a gourmet spread, table, chairs, and table setting – breaking out of normal routines to eat and celebrate amid music, entertainment, dancing, and many new friends.
The evening is filled with breathtaking moments including the napkin twirl to mark the beginning of the dinner and lighting of sparklers to indicate guests are free to mingle and dance. The end of the evening is marked with the sound of trumpets as guests pack up their belongings, pick up all their litter, and head back into the night, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry.
About Dîner en Blanc International
The worldwide phenomenon known as Dîner en Blanc celebrates its 27th anniversary this year. Launched by François Pasquier and a handful of friends in 1988, the Paris Dîner en Blanc now attracts more than 10,000 people each year. What began as a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international epicurean phenomenon on five continents. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principles fuelling this fantastic event have not: diners continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a high-quality meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful locations. Dîner en Blanc International, based in Montreal, is responsible for developing this secret picnic in over 40 cities worldwide. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair.
For more information, visit: dinerenblanc.info
Photo credit: Photo of Diner en Blanc courtesy of Diner en Blanc Chicago
No comments:
Post a Comment