Glen Echo Park’s ‘Folk & Fiddle’ gala celebrated social dances and arts programs with an Irish flair.
By Jenni Cloud
Ambassador Connie Morella and husband Tony in front of the Park’s historic 1921 Dentzel Carousel.
Glen Echo Park’s “Folk & Fiddle” Gala in the Park was held on Saturday, May 16 in the Park’s historic Spanish Ballroom. This year’s gala theme celebrated the Park’s renowned social dances as well as the folk and Irish music and dance influences found in many of the Park’s arts programs. Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland, Ambassador Anne Anderson served as Honorary Gala Chair and gave the welcome toast. The gala raised much-needed funds to support the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, a nonprofit organization that manages the Park’s arts and cultural programs as well as its historic buildings. More than 350 guests, including Congressman Chris Van Hollen, philanthropists Carol Trawick and Jeffrey Slavin, Ambassador Connie Morella, and CBS news correspondent Julianna Goldman (who also served as the emcee for the awards presentation), enjoyed a reception in the Park’s iconic “Bumper Car Pavilion,” dinner and awards in the ballroom, night-time carousel rides, a silent auction, a portrait booth and dancing. The Gala honored Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner for his strong advocacy for the arts in the county as well as his ongoing support for Glen Echo Park and the Friday Night Dancers, a nonprofit group that has presented dances in the ballroom for 30 years.
Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner receives the Friend of Glen Echo Park Award from Jeffrey Slavin and Tammy Darvish.
Honorary Gala Chair Ambassador Anne Anderson of the Embassy of Ireland with U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen
Congressman Chris Van Hollen greets guests at the Gala in the Park reception, while Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture Executive Director Katey Boerner (left) looks on.
The Park’s “Bumper Car Pavilion” filled with guests for the Gala in the Park reception.
Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice calls the audience to action with the Fund-A-Need campaign.
The evening included two live bands and dancing in the historic Spanish Ballroom and the Bumper Car Pavilion.
