The Gala Benefit Preview Night

The Pacific Orchid Exposition kicks off with the much anticipated Gala Benefit Preview, Thursday, February 23rdfrom 6:30pm – 10pm at Fort Mason Center.  

This sophisticated soiree will be introducing the 75th anniversary celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge with fan fare that includes a 48’ long, 18’ tall and 4’ wide replica of the Golden Gate Bridge in the front entrance surrounded by orchids in every color, shape and size imaginable.  The evening will be a lavish affair with over 20 boutique wineries offering a select choice of wines coupled with the fragrance and refined images of over 150,000 orchids.  The evening is magical. 

This visual horticultural play land gives collectors and orchid enthusiasts the first chance to browse and purchase some of the most regal and exotic species and hybrids of orchids before the show opens to the general public.  All this beauty is coupled with music from Lisa Lynne & George Tortorelli who have been charming audiences around the country for over a decade with their original Celtic Harp & Bamboo Flute music. These two masters combine memorable and heartwarming melodies written by Lynne that mixes her therapeutic harp with Tortorelli’s (known as Medicine Wind) mastery of the bamboo emoting relaxing and healing sounds that are meditative and peaceful.  It is the perfect ambiance for an evening of elegance, beauty and excitement.  The Gala Benefit Preview is attended by some of the Bay Area’s top personalities, local celebrities, and government representatives who will be honoring the Golden Gate Bridge 75th anniversary and celebrating 60 years of this amazing Orchid Exposition. 

Enjoying the delicious hors d’oeuvres paired with confidential varietals and award winning wines from the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest competition of American wines in the World, each guest receives a commemorative etched wine glass to enhance their tasting experience.  These are just some of the elements of this amazing evening.  There will also be a Silent Auction that will have wine, art, trips, excursions to exotic destinations, and of course orchids, available to bid on throughout the show.    

All this is for a good cause; the San Francisco Orchid Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance horticultural education.  Proceeds from the Gala Benefit Preview night will go to assisting other non-profit horticultural organizations such as the Conservatory of Flowers and the Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture in Golden Gate Park. 

Don’t forget, this aesthetic wonderland will be an evening to remember – See You There!

Click here if you are interested in volunteering to help out at the show.

For information on participating at the 2012 Pacific Orchid Exposition Gala Benefit, contact Frances Larose at flarose@prmagic.com

For all other requests, sponsorships, groups tours and media contact, The Larose Group, LLC, Frances Larose at flarose@prmagic.com