Brighton residents won’t have to stray too far to enjoy some of the lush gardens that will be featured during the Livingston Area Council Against Spouse Abuse (LACASA)’s Garden Tour Weekend, slated for this Saturday and Sunday.
The proceeds from the event will help fund the many programs that LACASA offers to support and shelter victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. LACASA is the only agency in Livingston County that provides those services.
This weekend marks the thirteenth annual Garden Tour Weekend, LACASA’s largest fundraiser of the year. Tickets for the tour cost $15 in advance, or $20 at the gardens and grant access to 10 of the most beautiful gardens in the county.
Though no gardens in Brighton will be featured this year, many local businesses are getting involved by donating food, drinks and raffle items for the weekend’s garden party finale on Saturday evening, Twilight in the Garden.
Owner of the in Brighton, John Kallabat has been involved in the event since the very beginning, donating wine and helping coordinate the wine tasting each year.
“This is just such a beautiful event, and everyone around here has been so good to us so we want to give back,” Kallabat said.
Attendees will be treated to 78 different wines to taste this year, courtesy of Kallabat.
Marketing and community relations director Linda Graham says that her organization hopes to bring in around $50,000 from the event.
“All of the programs we offer are free of charge to victims and their families,” Graham said. “We wouldn’t be able to do that without the money we receive from these events.”
Food and wine tasting aren’t the only things party-goers can expect. Live music from Louis Johnson JAZZ will be on tap, as well as a raffle with some amazing prizes and even a putting contest.
Some of the raffle items include: custom-painted Adirondack chairs, a glass greenhouse designed by Linda Bader, a outdoor metal sculpture by Jim Ignash and a gorgeous quilt crafted and donated by Casual Quilters of Brighton.
The event will be hosted at Howell Township residents Tom and Pat O’Connell’s home, located at 4083 Byron Road, and runs from 6 p.m. to twilight. Tickets cost $50.
Ticket outlets, a map of the gardens and further information about LACASA’s Garden Tour Weekend events can be found at: www.lacasa1.org or call (517) 548-1350.
