T

he women and a few special men of the Emerald Coast 
stepped out in their best spring ensembles on Tuesday, 
March 20, for the 15th annual Tour of Tables Preview 
Night, hosted by the Pensacola Federation of Garden Clubs, 

Inc. Tour of Tables Preview Night was held at the Garden Center in East 
Hill, which was Pensacola’s very fi rst event venue, built in 1962. The 
Garden Club was formed in 1931, federated in 1953, and is still thriving 
with over 240 members and 12 individual circles and clubs. The Garden 
Center is a beautiful and historical building, perfect for weddings, 
receptions, and other events. 

Tour of Tables is a two-day event showcasing lovely and luxurious 

table settings designed by the creative women of the garden club.  There 
are 20 tables, each designed with a different theme.  Members and guests 
were encouraged to vote for their favorite table while indulging on wine 
and delectable hors d’oeuvres provided by the members of the Pick’N 
Poke Garden Club and enjoying the Lovely sounds of Cellist, Della 
Grisby. Guests were also offered the chance to win prizes and gift baskets 

donated by the garden clubs’ members.  There were representatives 
from RNS Florist and Twenty-Nine Eleven Jewelry in attendance to 
showcase their creations.  Following the Preview Night is the Tour of 
Tables Luncheon, with approximately 140 guests in attendance.  The 
guests are provided lunch while sitting at the intricately decorated tables.  
The winners of the people’s choice for the top three tabes are announced 
at the Luncheon and provided with gift cards donated by O’Brien’s, The 
Fish House, and Five Sisters Blues Cafe. 

The Pensacola Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. is a non-profi t 

organization, and the proceeds that they raise from the Tour of Tables 
fundraiser go back into repairs for the Garden Center and educating 
the public on important issues, such as composting. The Tour of Tables 
is a lovely event, and just ONE of the many fundraisers provided by 
the garden club to give back to the Pensacola community. Members 
are already buzzing about the garden club’s next major fundraiser, The 
Secret Garden Tour of the Emerald Coast on May 20-21.

Tricia Mangum & Sara Edwards

Becca Sherman, Pat Jackson, Bettie Lee Sundstrom, Marilyn Powitzky, Deborah Kay, Jean Rognstad & Ann Schmidt 

Darlene Ginetti & Sara Daum

   VIP Pensacola the Garden Center

photos & story by

 

Haley Bryant

Tour of Tables Preview Night

Renee Miller & Shirley Jacques

May 2018   |   47 

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4/26/18   8:21 AM