Hilo Orchid Society Preview Party is August 2
The Hilo Orchid Society presents a benefit preview party to kick off its 60th anniversary Orchid show and sale at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium in Hilo, Thursday, August 2, from 6-9 p.m.
“Party-goers will have the first chance to purchase exciting new hybrids and exotic orchid species that growers will have for sale, as well as other unusual plants and orchid-related products,” says show chair Sandra Song.
The gala event features drinks, food, music, and orchid pre-sales. Libations include fine wine tasting, plus beer sampling from Kona Brewing Co. Ticket holders receive a souvenir wine or beer glass upon entry.
Food will be available at various serving stations compliments of Island Naturals and AJ & Sons Catering, featuring the food stylings of Audrey Wilson who writes the weekly “Let’s Talk Food” column in the Hawaii Tribune Herald. There will also be Hawaiian music by local artists throughout the evening.
Proceeds of the preview party benefit both the Hilo Orchid Society scholarship fund and the non-profit Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center. The Hilo Orchid Society scholarship fund offers financial assistance to students of tropical agriculture at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center provides affordable dispute prevention and resolution services to the east Hawaii community.
Song recommends buying tickets early because they expect to sell out.
The preview party is a lead-up to the Hilo Orchid Society’s annual three-day show held August 3-5. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Islands of Orchids’. During the show, which attracts thousands of visitors from across the state, the public can view 50 different orchid displays, attend mini-classes and demonstrations, ask experts for advice on growing orchids, as well as purchase different types of orchid plants not often seen in public.
Tickets for the preview party are $65 ($25 of which is tax deductible) and may be purchased in advance from The Most Irresistible Shop at 256 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo, or Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center in The Hilo Lagoon Centre, 101 Aupuni Street, Hilo. For more info call Julie Mitchell at 935-7844 x116 or visit www.hiloorchidsociety.org.
Hilo Orchid Society’s 60th annual Orchid Show will take place Friday, August 3, 9a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, August 4, 9 a.m. – 5p.m, Sunday Aug 5, 10 a.m. – 2p.m. Tickets for the Orchid Show are $3 in advance, $5 at the door. For advance show tickets call Hilo Orchid Society President Julie Goettsch: 333-5989.