The Annual Posh Picnic is Back

T h e 4 t h A n n u a l Posh Picnic is Back!

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of Coxhall Guild Graphics by Amy Barragree Carmel Monthly is proud to be a longtime sponsor and supporter of the Posh Picnic, an annual fundraising event organized by the remarkable members of the Coxhall Guild and Friends of Hamilton County Parks.

The 4th Annual Posh Picnic will be held at the Cripe Pavilion at Coxhall Gardens on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022.

The Purpose of the Posh Picnic

The proceeds from this fun event will go towards enhancing the many beautiful areas throughout the park. Thanks to the generosity of supporters of Coxhall Gardens, the guild has been able to complete several beautification projects and enhancements to the park, such as the Children’s Pavilion, elegant planters, three spectacular bronze sculptures in the Children’s Garden and most recently, the installation of the “Atomic Kaleidoscope,” which is an extraordinary sculpture by Robert Anderson.

The mock storefronts in the Children’s Garden were rebuilt due to deterioration caused by drainage issues that are being corrected. The work, time and materials for this project were generously donated by Universal Roofing and Exteriors. Countless children feed their imaginations in the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens, and it brings endless joy to guild to see the gardens and its amenities enjoyed by guests of the park.

Playful Competition

Guests are invited to bring their favorite people, culinary delights, and table settings to create a night of magic in Carmel’s most beautiful picnic spot!

The evening features a tablescape challenge, with prizes awarded for “Most Posh (elegant),” “Most Creative,” “People’s Choice [voted on by other participants]” and “Most Coxhall-Like.” Guests provide their own refreshments and tableware for a highly personalized, stylish experience.

I speak from experience that the level of creativity and detail that goes into these tablescapes knows no bounds! There is always a brilliant variety of themes, and many attendees coordinate their meals and attire to complement their tablescape designs.

There is always an impressive silent auction at the picnic, but new this year is the fact that the silent auction will be available online through the OneCause platform.

Soft dinner music will provide a relaxing ambiance in the backdrop, and then the band will step it up a few notches after dinner! Dancing will follow the dinner portion of the event for an unforgettable evening with music provided by the Barbenders.

Transportation will be provided from the Coxhall Mansion parking lot. Guests are encouraged to come early, between 2 and 4 p.m., to set up and decorate their tables. Tables and chairs for 8 or 10 people will be provided, as well as white tablecloths. The rest is up to you and your creativity!

The Importance of Preserving Carmel’s Parks

Many of us reconnected with our local parks and trails throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Hamilton County is known for its parks and trails, and Carmel’s Coxhall Gardens is an exceptional addition to this list of amenities.

Friends of Hamilton County Parks Executive Director April Williams is excited about the nonprofit’s latest campaign #givetogetparks.

“The idea [behind the Give to Get Parks campaign] is to encourage the public to stop and think about why they give,” Williams said. “Is it because you want to align with something that you know is significant, or because you are a business and you know it brings economic value, or because you want to market your organization? Is it because you know the

rewards and return of giving to something that is good, or is it all of the above? Whether you’re a donor, a patron or a volunteer, you’re helping to grow our parks.”

Williams continued, “I give [to parks] because I get to walk my dog in the park and run in the park. I get to go to the beautiful children’s garden and experience — as a family — all the great things, mental and physical, that parks bring. I think it’s important that we don’t forget why our parks are so special and why we need to preserve our green space and make sure that they remain a part of our community, because there are so many benefits.”

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Be Part of the Action!

In addition to purchasing a table or seats for this year’s Posh Picnic, the organizers would like to remind the area’s business community that there are sponsorship opportunities available. The Coxhall Guild and Friends of Hamilton County Parks value their sponsors greatly and invite any interested businesses to contact them for more information on how to become a sponsor and how their sponsorship impacts Coxhall Gardens.

The organizers of this year’s Posh Picnic are honored to have The Stratford returning as a top-tier sponsor and are thrilled to announce the Indianapolis Colts and Prime 47 Carmel as additional top-tier sponsors for this year’s event.

Don’t miss the city’s best picnic of the year! Purchase your tickets or table for the 4th Annual Posh Picnic, and be sure to register for the online silent auction! Please contact Jody McFarland at jmm3500@sbcglobal.net or 317-337-0838 for reservations or questions, or visit friendsofhamiltoncountyparks.org to register for the online auction and reserve your seats!