The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy will host the inaugural Butterfly Ball on Saturday, April 28, to raise money for various outdoor projects on the grounds of the preserve.
In attendance will be numerous chefs from across Long Island, several North Fork wineries and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, who will be the guest of honor.
“This new event touches on many of our conservation and wellness initiatives,” said Managing Director Beth Horn. “The Sands Point Preserve is much more than a historic property, and our hope is that the community will incorporate our events and programs into their daily lives.”
The Sands Point Preserve, which at one point was the Guggenheim Estate, includes three historic mansions and is visited by more than 100,000 people every year.
Among the projects that are planned for the 216-acre site are a demonstration organic vegetable garden, a fruit orchard, a dog run, a playground and a fitness course, among other, smaller projects.
“These improvements will give families an exciting interactive way to experience this beautiful preserve,” said Chiara Trento Mai, a chair for the ball. “Our goal is to further the Conservancy’s curriculum with new community events and programs such as instructive vegetable garden planting sessions in the spring, pumpkin picking and hay rides in the fall, fitness programs to promote health and well-being all year, and much more.”
The ball will be held at the Hempstead House and will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $200.
Among the chefs gathered by Nicola Zanghi, the ball’s culinary director, are Guy Reuges of Sandbar, Three Village Inn, and Lessing’s; Michael Meehan of Radio Radio; Rosario Safrina of Da Rosario Organic Truffles; and Michael Fallon of Macayla Michael Deserts, among others.
The five North Fork wineries that will take part in the ball are Paumanok Vineyards, McCalls Wines, Raphael Winery, Woolfer Estate, and Bedell Cellars. These five have participated in a wine-making course that began earlier this month at the Hempstead House.
Tying into the ball’s theme, there were also be dozens of live butterflies on display at a special garden habitat in the mansion’s Morning Room. A VIP reception will be held in the room on Saturday from 6 to 7 p.m. and the butterflies will be open to view for families the following day, April 29, from 2 to 4 p.m.
For more information on tickets, sponsorship packages and journal ads, go to sandspointpreserve.org or call 516-304-5076.
