Above / The Kentucky Derby Gala Planning Committee welcomes the community to join them for fun and the Run for the Roses on May 7, 2016. (PN Photo)
One safe bet for 2016 is that the Kentucky Derby is as late as it can be on the first Saturday in May and Mother’s Day is as early as it can be on the second Sunday.
And if you desire to support a garden club, veterans, community service and a homeless shelter all in one day, four popular events are scheduled in a way that it’s possible to attend them all with chances to take home some great gifts for mom.
Naperville Community Gardeners Plant Sale / 7AM-Noon
Start off Saturday with perfect garden gifts for Mother’s Day when the Naperville Community Gardeners host their 36th Annual Plant Sale. The sale is set from 7AM to 1PM on Sat., May 7, at Naperville’s Ron Ory Community Garden Plots, 811 S. West Street. (Hint: individuals who arrive early will find the best selection as sometimes by noon very few plants are left.)
Featured plants include locally grown high quality Proven Winners, a wide variety of unique “specialty” and bedding plants, vegetables, herbs, grasses and hanging baskets. For more information, visit www.napervillecommunitygardeners.org.
Then place your bets on three different charity events organizers, a trifecta of sorts, also on Sat., May 7. The popular fundraisers are presented here so the public can choose one or attend all three.
Honor Flight Chicago Fundraiser / 11AM-3PM
First up from 11AM-3PM, Sat., May 7, the DuPage Veterans Foundation will host the 5th Annual Honor Flight Chicago fundraiser, being held again inside the spacious Calamos Hangar out at the DuPage County Airport in West Chicago. (Suggestion: Arrive before 1PM.)
The luncheon event features special guests, live music performed by the Naperville Municipal Big Band, singing by the Legacy Girls, dancing with veterans, patriotic military displays and silent auction items.
All proceeds from this annual event will benefit Honor Flight Chicago.
On April 13, 2016, the group hosted another Honor Flight to accompany World War II, Korean War and other Veterans to see the memorials in Washington, D.C. Thanks to James Hoch Photography for photos from the most recent trip when the Veterans were welcomed home again at Midway Airport.
Admission tickets to the fundraiser are $30 per adult in advance ($40 at the door) and $20 per child.
RELATED POST Details about the 2016 event from Wayne Fischer of American Legion Post 43.
Naperville Jaycees Lobster Day / 11AM-5PM
For many years, the day before Mother’s Day has been set aside to sell live lobsters, one of many fundraisers organized by the Naperville Jaycees.
For this year’s event on Sat., May 7, members are now accepting orders for fresh North Atlantic lobster and Casey’s Foods‘ filet mignon.
The live lobsters sell for $20, cooked for $25 and the filet mignon are $13 each.
Each lobster has an average weight of 1 ¼ to 1 ½ pounds and the filets are 6-8oz.
Lobsters and filets will be available during scheduled pick up times between 11AM and 5PM on Sat., May 7, at Centennial Beach, located at 500 W. Jackson Ave. in Naperville.
All orders can be placed in advance through May 2 at www.naperjaycees.org.
5th Annual Kentucky Derby Gala for Hesed House / 3PM to 7PM
Next, from 3PM to 7PM, the Kentucky Derby Gala to benefit Hesed House is slated to run at the new Embassy Suites, Chicago /Naperville.
Presented this year by Gerald KIA and Meson Sabika, the Kentucky Derby Gala is open to the public with advance reservations.
Tickets are $150 per person/open seating and $1,500/reserved table of 10. A portion of every reservation is tax deductible under current tax law.
In addition to raffles, silent auction, live auction, one of many creative activities during the event is the popular Derby Diva Hat Contest, a time when men and women can show off the stuff on top of their head for fun, prizes and bragging rights.
For reservations, call Carolyn Fairbanks at (630) 897-2156 x 514 or cfairbanks@hesedhouse.org.
‘Derby After Party’ / 7PM to 10PM
In addition, the 2016 event will offer a Derby After Party with live music and dancing, also included with the price of a reservation.
One of Naperville’s favorite party bands, The Waterdawgs, will perform so revelers can dance all through the evening in support of Hesed House.
For complete details about the Gala, silent and live auction items, making reservations or becoming a Gala sponsor, visit www.hesedhouse.org.
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