Happy first day of summer. WOW where did the spring go. Although the social season winds down a bit in the summer as folks go away on the weekends, there are still a few amazing events happening one of which is Diner en Blanc. Earlier this month Diner en Blanc had a preview party at the South Street Shambles. I was in Alaska on my cruise, but Al For was there and sent over a few photos of the event we both shoot for Aversa PR in August.

It was a packed house under the shambles, despite the questionable weather. Diner en Blanc is held rain/shine as well. Over the years weather has not been a deterent for fans of the outdoor party attracting increasing crowds with each year.

2012 – 1,200 Logan Circle
2013 – 2,550 JFK Bridge
2014 – 3,500 Avenue of the Arts
2015 – 4,500 The Navy Yard – Marine Parade Grounds
2016 – 5,000 Philadelphia Museum of Art
2017 – 5,200  Surprise location! (Can we start guessing now? I’m thinking somewhere in Old City, how about Market Street? or
Maybe the Piazza?)

 Natanya DiBona and Kayli Moran co-hosts of Philly’s Diner en Blanc with Anita Oh, fashion blogger and cbs 3 reporter

SCHEDULE FOR 2017:
Past participants should watch for their phase one invitations sometime in early July. Phase 2 and 3 will follow later in the month.

Phase 1 for last year’s registered members – July 6th
Phase 2 for guests recommended from those that registered from phase 1 – July 13th
Lottery (Phase 3) for those on the wait list who are new to event – July 18th opens and continues with lottery system until sold out

PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
Winner: Eilena Mercier-Ehmann; Event Loft (www.eventloftpa.com)
Theme: 1976- The Love Sign is placed in Love Park as part of the Bicentennial celebration

Initially, I think it’s the intrigue of what location- a new location each year really gives an opportunity to show off the city in an entirely different way.  However, year after year guests come back to enjoy an elegant meal and a really great party with their family and friends. It has become a Philadelphia tradition we are proud to have started.

Lessons learned from 2016 and six years under belt:

Each year we get more and more organized and we have more and more people who are returning to volunteer, so we have a lot of experience under our belt.   We ask for feedback from our guests, group leaders and table leaders and from our planning team and we take it very seriously and make improvements based on their suggestions.  However, the fact that the location changes each year means that we face new and unusual challenges each year.

What is your favorite part about planning this event?

I honestly can’t say there is just one favorite part.   However, I do absolutely love picking a spot and designing an event around showing off the beauty of the location, as well as the historical significance of the spot to the City of Philadelphia.   Both of my parents were born and raised in South Philadelphia and their families really embraced the city and everything it had to offer.  I find myself drawing on their stories or pictures- whether it’s my great uncle’s Navy Yard identification badge or a black and white picture my grandfather took from the top of the Art Museum steps- for inspiration.

6ABC’s Alicia Vitarelli was a guest celeb designer of a table – and worked with Valley Flowers.

NEW CULINARY PARTNERS – ALL NEW FOR 2017 (all were at preview too):
Feast Your Eyes Catering (photo above)
Cheese Boards from Collective Creamery
Charcuterie from 1732 Meats

Suzi Nash trying on a hat by Touché Accessories

Pat Nogar, Jennifer Lynn Robinson and Maria Fritz (sporting her new brown ‘do)

Winner of the Judge’s Choice

JUDGE’S CHOICE WINNER:
Winner: Coleen Christian Burke; Events by Coleen
Theme: 1901- The first official Mummer’s Parade is held

JUDGES:
Christopher Cordaro, EB Realty/Divine Lorraine
Amy Needle,  CEO, Historic Philadelphia
Lee Arnold Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Senior Director of Library and Collections
Sheila Hess, City Representative, Philadelphia
Kelly Edwards, Community Relations at Arts and Crafts Holdings
Adam Schmidt, Drink Philly
Anita Oh, CBS3

How To Get Into Diner en Blanc