It’s a “grape” life!
Just last week, the Fairy Godmother team had the ultimate pleasure of being able to help plan an event for The Grapery, hosts of the International Fruit Genetics summit dinner!
Jack and Carolyn Pandol, founders of The Grapery, have become one of Fairy Godmother’s favorite clients after doing numerous events of all calibers! Birthdays, business mixers, and social events! In fact, you may remember Carolyn’s 1960’s themed birthday party just last year!
The Pandol family founded The Grapery back in 1996 and since then have found numerous ways to give back to their community and to the staff that have created a solid foundation for the business that they love.
This last event was extremely unique! The Grapery was in charge of hosting this year’s summit dinner for International Fruit Genetics. Guests joined the fun from all over the world- 12 countries, to be exact.
Most of the guests arrived on not one, not two, but three charter buses at the Pandol’s home for this pre-dinner social event. Jack and Carolyn, being the hosts with the most, greeted their guests dressed as bunches of grapes passing out grape shaped stress balls! Carolyn is a strong believer in farmers having more fun, and we are sure that she proved this to be true! This was a hit with the guests, who doesn’t love two life-size grapes?!
These grape stress balls also doubled as fountain decor! Cocktail tables, mason jar drink carafes and burlap ties supplied by Walker Lewis Rents.
After guests were checked in, they mingled through the backyard that was complete with a grape tasting station, juggling bartenders, and the added touch of balloons everywhere!
The grape tasting station had over twenty different types of grapes ranging from “candy dreams” and “cotton candy” to “funny fingers!” This station was complete with a trellis backing complete with greenery and the appropriate table covering combination of deep purple and burlap with elevated design.
The Grapery – Cotton Candy Grapes
Tablescapes included floral arrangements by House of Flowers with bunches of grapes mixed in to add to the theme of the evening. Burlap tablecloths with ranch tables gave the event a country feel while maintaining the elegant ambiance. Tablecloths, country tables and chairs rented through Walker Lewis Rents.
Paradise Balloons really topped the IFG event off with their creations! From the balloon arch in the driveway for the first impression, to the added grape bunches floating around in the pool, to the larger than life grape configurations… these fun additions made the event feel inviting and warm. Not to mention the help that Lora Lee’s fancy balloon tools supplied in the inflation of the grape suits!
We love filling the Pandol’s pool with balloons! This event was no different, single floating balloons and bunches of grapes could be found making their way around from the deep end and back!
We just LOVE when our friendors come together at events! Diana of House of Flowers, and Jessica from NV Catering here with our very own Fairy Godmother Colleen.
Chef Nate and his awesome NV Catering team served guests with hors d’oeuvres and delicious treats in their black and white tie attire, allowing the guests to focus on their conversations and relations rather than where to find the snacks! NV has become one of the Pandol’s preferred vendors for all of their events, Chef Nate has officially won their appetite over!
The evening was a complete success! Food, drinks and mingling were the perfect recipe for success!
From the Padol home, after guests had mingled their way into the evening, guests loaded back onto the buses and were transported to Stockdale Country Club where dinner would be served, as their summit came to an end!
As the event came to a close, the Fairy Godmother team was able to reflect on how lucky they are to have clients, like the Pandol family, who trust them fully and allow for the Fairies to take their vision and make it a magical reality! Our clients are the reason this “happy business” is SO “grape!”
