<em>Photo above: Chairman Sharon Dwyer and Co-Chair Donna Dehncke.</em>

Historic Beaufort Foundation is pleased to announce its annual gala fundraiser, the Lafayette Soirée, will be held on Saturday, April 23rd starting at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Pam and Drew Scallan at 1305 Bay St. Tickets are $125 each and attire is Lowcountry Elegant.

The event commemorates the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to Beaufort, and raises funds to support Historic Beaufort Foundation’s mission, which is to encourage the preservation, protection and presentation of sites and artifacts of historic, architectural and cultural interest throughout Beaufort County. This year’s proceeds will go towards the continued restoration of the Verdier House, including interior and exterior painting, replacing the Palladian window and tabby preservation. The Verdier is HBF’s flagship property in downtown Beaufort and plays host to numerous important activities, from public tours to history lectures, teas and other events.

“It is our pleasure to have 2016 Lafayette Soirée Chair and Co-Chair, Sharon Dwyer and Donna Dehncke on board,” said HBF Executive Director, Maxine Lutz. “After months of careful planning, Sharon and Donna are delighted that the 2016 Soirée will be held in the gardens of the Scallan home, which is also known by many local residents as the home of Flora and John M. Trask Sr. built around 1913.”

This year’s theme, “An Evening under the Oaks”, was inspired by the distinctive, enormous live oaks that grace the Trask-Scallan property. “It’s the perfect setting for an outdoor spring event,” remarked Dehncke. “Our guests will enjoy champagne, cocktails and oysters overlooking the Beaufort River as a string trio sets the mood. And the best silent auction in Beaufort will offer an irresistible array of options, including a number of exquisite experiences.”

Early donations offer opportunities to bid your way to a week at Miami’s Fontainebleau Hotel, a hideaway in a cabin in Wisconsin, sample fine wines and beautiful vistas during a week in Bordeaux France, or a long weekend in Sonoma. (Oh heck, why not take them all!) New this year will be Best Selling Author Skype-Ins to book clubs, along with our standard favorites: parties galore on docks and boats and in fabulous homes. Oh my!

After cocktails, guests will mingle among an array of food stations in the back garden featuring small plates of contemporary Lowcountry cuisine. Many of Beaufort’s finest restaurants will help make this the ultimate culinary experience. “After dinner”, says Dwyer, “Atlanta’s CEO Show Band is guaranteed to get you out on the dance floor. Soirée is Beaufort’s liveliest garden party, so mark your calendars now.”

“We have limited availability due to the size of the garden,” added Dehncke, “so visit HBF’s website at www.historicbeaufort.org or call (843) 379-3331 and buy your tickets today! We don’t want anyone to be disappointed.”