Green Gala: The greenest bash of the year offers great music and farm-fresh food

Get your green on at the Third Annual Green Gala on Thursday, Aug. 22, 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. It's happening in the parking garage at the Plante Moran/Christman Building at Fish Ladder Park, 634 Front Ave. NW in Grand Rapids.

The Green Gala is Friends of Grand Rapids Parks' signature fundraising event. It takes a lot of time, planning, resources, and money to plant trees, rehab playgrounds, protect natural areas, and rebuild vibrant parks. That includes help from citizen volunteers, city workers, neighborhood organizers, philanthropists, and businesses.

"Vibrant parks and public spaces are essential to our community's environmental health and cultural wellbeing," says Steve Faber, executive director of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. "The Green Gala raises funds that allow us to coordinate volunteers, cover capital costs related to development, and raise money that isn't connected to grants, so we have more flexibility in the way we can spend it."

This year's Green Gala will sport a 'picnic on the farm' theme accompanied by a bluegrass band and featuring a photo wall with barn slats and farm implements for your photo opp pleasure.

Green Gala guests will get updated on several projects, including the Tree Map that lets you explore, map, and add trees to make the Urban Forest Tree Map complete; a new park in Heritage Hill; and a green space acquisition on the west side that is in the works.

Tickets are $85 at the door.

Founded in 2008, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is an independent, citizen-led, nonprofit enterprise that works closely with but is separate from the City. FGRP's mission is to identify specific park projects and to mobilize people and general resources to protect, enhance, and expand the City's parks and public spaces.

Get involved:

- Invest in your neighborhood and support the City's Parks and Recreation Department by voting 'yes' on the millage this November. For only $49 per year on a home valued at $100,000, the millage will help fund some much-needed city park improvements. Get more info here.
- Donate to Friends of Grand Rapids Parks.
- Check out FGRP's Facebook page.

Source: Steve Faber, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
Writer: Victoria Mullen, Do Good Editor

Images of the 2012 Green Gala: Terry Johnston Photography and Ian Anderson (StellaFly)