Newport Closes Summer With a Garden Party and Mansion Picnic
Newport offered two beautiful ways to celebrate the final days of summer. From garden party to mansion picnic, The Social Diary enjoyed two distinctly Newport traditions in style and substance.
From Garden Party at Redwood Library
The annual Redwood Library garden party brought guests together in an historic setting. Likewise, the weather was perfect for an outdoor gathering.
Tables looked fresh and elegant, with a soft seasonal feel, adorned with floral arrangements. Pranzi catered the event with a generous menu.
Guests enjoyed delectable finger sandwiches and wraps, including smoked salmon, roast beef and curry chicken salad. Heartier mini subs added more substance to the buffet offerings.
The food presentation looked especially inviting. Tiered silver trays held sandwiches and wraps, while greenery and fresh florals framed the buffet tables.
Tray-passed hors d’oeuvres included stuffed mushrooms, vegetable skewers, parmesan canapés and cocktail meatballs. Additionally, full liquor selection also kept the party festive.
Dessert brought another colourful display. Guests enjoyed fresh fruit tartlets, rich chocolate mousse cups and beautifully decorated and decadent cake pops. The pastel cake pops, finished with delicate floral details, matched the garden setting perfectly.
The only thing missing was tea.
Redwood garden party felt polished without becoming overtly formal. Guests could mingle, enjoy the grounds and sample a wide variety of food. Accordingly, some guests were dressed for the occasion in festive hats and elegant attire.
To Mansion Picnic at Chateau-sur-Mer
Later, another historic setting offered a more casual end-of-summer celebration.
Chateau-sur-Mer picnic, hosted by the Preservation Society of Newport County, welcomed guests to the mansion grounds.
Many guests brought their own picnic fare. Besides, three food trucks also served the crowd throughout the late afternoon and early evening.
In addition, everyone received a coupon for complimentary Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and a raffle ticket. One lucky guest ended the evening with an extra treat: a lovely gift basket of tulips.
Live music gave the picnic plenty of energy. The Thirsty Boots band delivered an excellent performance.
Moreover, their tribute to Dolly Parton stood out. Their rendition of “Jolene” quickly became a crowd favourite.
The Newport mansion picnic felt relaxed, social and distinctly Newport.
From garden party to mansion picnic, together, the two events captured both sides of summer entertaining. One offered garden-party elegance. The other delivered music, picnic food and casual fun.
Further, both made a lovely farewell to summer in Newport.
Guests lingered, laughed, and enjoyed the setting.