Natchez Garden Club to host Fall Bash

Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 19, 2010

NATCHEZ — Fun will be the order of the night at the Natchez Garden Club’s annual Fall Bash Thursday night at Bowie’s Tavern.

The fourth annual event is a fun fundraising effort to continue preservation efforts at Magnolia Hall, one of the historic properties owned and maintained by the club.

Fall Bash will feature entertainment by Maggie Brown, a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and twenty silent auction packages to bid on.

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Jennifer Slover, Fall Bash co-chair said the fall event is a fun time that is appealing to all crowds.

“It is very casual,” Slover said. “We want something that is fun for all ages, and that is what this event has become.”

Other event co-chairs are Lauren Middleton, Ashley Linton, Katherine Callon, Katie-Grace Edgin and Amy Johnson.

The money raised will be used as matching funds for a preservation grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for repairs that need to be made at Magnolia Hall.

The first phase of the project is a roof stabilization project to repair and replaster six chimneys, as well as repair the roof and rotted box gutters.

Magnolia Hall was completely renovated in the 1980s but has received only minor repairs and upkeep since then.

Magnolia Hall is on tour daily and operates a gift shop. The house and club also hosts weddings, graduation parties, baby showers and other club and special events year round at Magnolia Hall.

Slover said preserving the historic properties in Natchez is important to the entire community.

“Tourism is one of our industries,” she said. “If we don’t preserve our history, we don’t have tourism.”

Fall Bash is from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Barrel Room at Bowie’s Tavern. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling the Natchez Garden Club office at 601-443-9065.

Bidding for silent auction items will begin at 6 p.m., and winners will be announced at 8 p.m.

Callon said the group decided to create silent auction packages instead of auctioning off individual items to hopefully generate more interest.

“Instead of getting just one thing, you are bidding on a package of related items,” Callon said. “We thought that would make them more appealing and interesting to people bidding.”

Silent auction packages include an Ole Miss-themed package with tickets to the homecoming football game and other items, a LSU-themed package with tickets to the homecoming football game and other items, a Lake St. John Weekend package that includes a weekend stay at a lake house, gift certificates to The Dock and The Duck’s Nest and a Vera Bradley tote bag and a dinner party package for 10 at Rip Rap with catering provided by Cissy Eidt.

There is also a beauty package for ladies and a hunting package for men.

Middleton said with the music and auction items the night is sure to be fun for everyone who attends.

“It is a different type event that will be great fun for everyone,” she said.