Yearly Festival of Trees moves to new locale

Atlanta’s cherished annual Festival of Trees, which moved last year from its longtime home downtown to the Atlanta History Center, is moving again. This year’s event will be held at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

“It was time for us to re-look at the festival,” said chairwoman Kitty Correll. “We’re a city that’s changing. Our main goal is to give back as much money as we can to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.”

The 31-year-old event has raised some $17 million over the years for the hospital, but last year’s fest was nearly scotched due to scheduling conflicts at the Georgia World Congress Center. The Atlanta History Center, which happened to have an opening in its calendar, stepped in to save the day and hosted the festival and preview-night gala that preceded it.

This year, SCAD-Atlanta hosts a Dec. 5 gala featuring more than 30 trees decorated by students. Tickets are $150 each for the event, which will feature live and silent auctions and dancing. Plans are still coming together for a public display of the trees.

The 28th annual Children’s Christmas Parade is planned for 10:30 a.m. to noon downtown. It steps off at Peachtree Street near Baker Street and follows a 1.5-mile route through downtown. For more information see the www.choa.org/default.aspx?id=2086.

Viva is the word, as in stayin’ alive

The 20th annual Latin Fever Ball, themed Viva las Americas, brought a most colorful multicultural celebration to the InterContinental Hotel on Sept. 20. The event, chaired by Dr. Alex Garcias, honored Frank Stratton and raised more than $245,000. After dinner, guests heard from Millie Irizarry, the newly tapped executive director of the Latin American Association. The group provides academic enrichment programs and food, medical referrals, parenting classes and immigration assistance to about 55,000 Latinos in metro Atlanta.

“I will work as hard as I can to continue the excellent work the Latin America Association has achieved over the years,” Irizarry said, closing her brief remarks with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Following dinner and the program, guests enjoyed a performance by Danzas Genericas de Colombia, a Colombian folkloric dance group. And as the evening stretched on, the band demonstrated its wide repertoire by breaking out favorites from the “Grease” soundtrack and other disco faves. Before long, we had a ballroom full of socialites line-dancing to “Stayin Alive.” How’s that for the bridging of cultures?

Revelers included Scarlet Pressley-Brown, Wendell Brown, Hector Buitrago, Esther Carretero, Zayra Alicia Fosse, Elizabeth de Bedout Herrara, Consul Camilo de Bedout Herrara, Vanessa Olcese Inman, Irwin Inman, Michelle Lamassone, Al Longman, Su So Longman, Rafael Maldonado, Monica Maldonado, Patti Marquez, Santiago Marquez, Tisha Tallman, George Viader and Sally White.

Event was a gas, but offered none

More than 220 people attended the annual March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction Sept. 25 at Marietta Country Club, raising more than $140,000. Diane Tatum and Gannon Manning co-chaired while the rakish Mark Arum of WSB-AM emceed.

“Our first item is an incredible lot,” Arum said as the live auction began. “Ten whole gallons of unleaded fuel. The opening bid is $1,200.”

The auction featured no gasoline, alas, but the event did boast samples from dozens of restaurants including Blackstone, Fleming’s, Fusco’s, Elevation Chop House, Gabriel’s, The Melting Pot, Ray’s, Shilling’s, Slate Grill, Sugar Plum Visions, Waterstone and Willie Rae’s/Simpatico.

Committee members included Katryn and Bryan Anderson, Hope Branicki, Patty and Robert Hermann, Sally and Gregg Litchfield, Carey and Jack Merritt, Kathy and Farrell Middleton, Lisa and Pete Moriatakis, and Mary Ansley and James Southerland. We also spotted Shannon and Ford Bohannan, Jill and Walt Davis, Melissa Gilbert, Millie and Bill Reddick, Ali and Rob Schnatmeier and Cameron and Travis Watson.