As the country continues its move toward business as usual, local nonprofits are getting ready to once again host the galas and other fundraising events that will enable them to continue the valuable work of assisting Indian River County residents.
Over the past year and a half, many organizations held virtual fundraising events via Zoom, but are now busy planning fall and early winter events, only to discover that the pool of available venues has somewhat diminished.
Most of the local country clubs have cut back on opening their facilities to non-member events due to a variety of issues, including membership booms, staffing difficulties, event backlogs needing to be rescheduled and increased costs.
On the other hand, several event venues which have primarily been used for weddings are reaping the benefits of the limited club space, and are seeing an increase in traffic. Outdoor venues have become more popular throughout the pandemic, offering intimate settings, where guests and family members feel more comfortable.
When members of the Hibiscus Children’s Center Guild were planning their annual December gala, the club venue they normally use was unavailable, so they instead chose Bellewood Plantation. The property was converted from a family homestead into a wedding and event venue in 2015.
“The new norm is that you have to think outside the box,” says Diane Wilhelm, Hibiscus gala co-chair.
The Tree House, an outdoor event space located along the Indian River Lagoon, opened about eight months ago. Owner Pamela Sommers says they had begun work on the venue before the pandemic, and the timing was fortuitous for them.
“We are really surprised at how many people were still moving forward with planning events,” says Sommers. “We’ve had a handful of weddings, graduation parties and anniversaries,” with an increasing number of calls for other types of events.
Adjacent to the Indian River Land Trust’s Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail, the venue was chosen by Ballet Vero Beach as the ideal location to perform an abridged version of the “Nutcracker on the Indian River Lagoon” this coming December, says Adam Schnell, BVB artistic director/CEO.
“We just weren’t sure what December was going to be like, and we didn’t want to hop right back into the full production in the theater,” he explains.
Magnolia Manor owner Linda Merrill says they’ve had more inquiries for nonprofit and corporate events this year than in the past. Primarily a wedding venue since opening five years ago, they have also hosted events for H.A.L.O., the Buggy Bunch and the Education Foundation of Indian River County.
“Being an outdoor venue able to hold up to 200 people, we were one of the few places that was still going during the pandemic,” said Merrill.
Charlotte Tripson, Waldo’s Secret Garden owner and operator, says they opened the century-old family property as a wedding and event venue about 10 years ago.
Since the pandemic, Tripson says, “we’ve been getting tons of inquiries from nonprofits.
Before, people thought of us only as a place for weddings and bridal showers, engagements and rehearsal dinners.”
The Heritage Center has long been used as an event venue, and recent fundraisers have used its indoor/outdoor space to great success, says Heather Stapleton, executive director, adding that the venue already has bookings in October, November and February.
Photos by Brenda Ahearn
