On August 23rd, the world-renowned VanDusen Botanical Gardens will play host to the first annual Garden Party. This memorable, high-end outdoor event is sure to be a sold-out hit with the socially influential and trendsetting Vancouver crowd.

Imagine: The twinkling of crystal glasses, ladies in their sunday’s best drinking tea out of fine china. Gentlemen playing croquet on a perfectly manicured lawn. This will be the summer event of the year! The Garden Party will kick off with a twist on the traditional High Tea at Noon. Some highlights include:

The Croquet Classic

One of the finest outdoor summer sports, requiring delicacy and skill, the Croquet Classic comes hand in hand with lively competition and the delightful added bonuses of fresh air and great company. Register a team of four to square off against the best or (at the very least), best looking, teams in Vancouver. The title of Vancouver’s greatest is yours to take. Interested groups of four are invited to sign up for the tournament.

High Tea at Noon
Not only has the drinking of tea become a social event for the distinguished, it has altered the time and manner in which we take our tea. Enjoy a decadent high tea at noon which some may consider a course unto itself. Of course, a delicious lunch and champagne will also come part and parcel with your lovely afternoon. The menu will be as follows:

Blueberries – maple mascarpone cream and mint

Freshly Baked Scones *A selection of freshly baked scones, accompanied by cinnamon clotted cream, date chutney, blackberry vanilla jam and strawberry jam

Tea Sandwiches

*Turkey on Corn Bread: Okanagan Goat Cheese Mousse, Arugula Jalapeno Gel

*Coronation Chicken: Raisin Chutney, Madras Chicken, Almond Crunch

*Cucumber & Mint on Rye: Freshly Shaved Fennel, Lemon cream cheese

*Albacore Tuna “Nicoise”: Cherry Tomato, Egg, Olive & Caper Tapenade

*Deviled ham Choux: Celery, Dijon Aioli, Candied Pecan

Canapés

*Carrot ginger rice wrap: Pea Shoots, Peppers, Cucumber, Pickled Ginger Yogurt

*Smoked salmon sushi square: Fresh Dill, Wasabi Cream Cheese, Crispy Nori

Antipasti Skewers

*Sopressata & fresh mozzarella: Fresh Basil, Roasted Red Peppers, Balsamic Glaze

*Prosciutto & Cantaloupe: Goat Cheese, Pistachios, Honey

Desserts

*Citrus Meringue Tarts: Citrus Curd, Baked Meringue, Sweet Butter Tart Shell

*Chocolate Orange Cups: Chocolate Orange Ganache, Candied Orange Peel, Chocolate Tulip Shell

*Blueberry Rosemary Cheese Cakes: Lemon Cheese Cake, Blueberry Rosemary Compote, Graham Crust

*A Selection Of Macaroons

Cocktails
Absolut vodka craft cocktails via brand-ambassador Jacob Sweetapple, cheers with beers by Stella Artois, Perrier Jouet champagne toasts throughout the afternoon.

Live Art
While the Garden will serve as your playground, it will also serve as the canvas for some world class artists as they create live performance art.

Vancouver’s much-loved Backpack Buddies run by the Community First Foundation will be the charitable recipient for The Garden Party. Backpack Buddies delivers backpacks of food to the most vulnerable children in city’s inner city schools. Backpack Buddies focuses on kids helping kids, engaging youth in community and creating an avenue for children of all backgrounds to come together.

The event takes place at VanDusen Botanical Gardens from noon through 7pm. Early bird tickets are available for $55.00 (without High Tea), $75.00 (with High Tea) or $1,850 for tables of 8. To register for tickets or for more information, visit www.thegardenpartyvan.ca. This event is a guaranteed hit, so make sure to get your tickets early.

Want to go for free? Here’s how:

I’m giving away a 2 tickets to the event & High Tea at Noon + 1 bottle of champage. This is +$150 package! There are three ways to enter:

1. Tweet the following:

“High Tea, Croquet and Me: I want to win tickets to @GardenPartyVan from @MaryinVancity RT and follow to enter http://wp.me/p17nmD-24q

2. Like us on Facebook

3. Comment below with your favourite Vancouver Summer event.

Do all three for extra chances! A randomly picked winner will be selected from the pool of entries on Tuesday August 19th at 5pm. Good luck!

UPDATE: Congrats @rankerv! You’ve won tickets to Garden Party! Please email me your address.