Arts, Dining & Entertainment

Final summer soiree at the national park is all about ice cream and flowers

Friday Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m.—WOODSTOCK— Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park will holds its last Summer Soiree of the season on Friday, Aug. 18, 5:30-7 p.m. Celebrate summer’s bounty by creating a take-home floral arrangement with flowers from Mary Rockefeller’s cutting garden. Hand-crank ice cream with the folks from Billings Farm & Museum.

Bring a picnic and beverages while you enjoy the formal gardens behind the mansion. Or play lawn games like bocce or croquet.

“This final soiree celebrates what so many people relish about the end of summer — a flower garden in peak bloom, cold treats before the weather gets too chilly,” says Chief of Interpretation Stephanie Kyriazis. “The Billings and Rockefeller families would invite their friends and family to enjoy this time of year, and the national park is happy to do the same.”

This is the third in a series of monthly after-hours events hosted this summer by the national park in the spirit of the Billings and Rockefeller families. Billings Farm & Museum, which was also part of the historical estate, has been a key partner in this initiative, co-hosting the June “Sixties Soiree” event as well as this final “Ice Cream & Flowers” evening. In July, the soiree was a partnership between the national park and Sustainable Woodstock’s monthly Green Drinks program.

“We hope to run another series of soirees next summer,” remarked Kyriazis. “We’ve enjoyed the fun, food and conversation with locals and visitors alike. The soirees are a great, less formal way for folks to come out and enjoy their national park.”

The event will run under tents in light rain, but may be canceled if weather is severe.

For more information or to check on conditions call the park at 802-457-3368 ext. 222. Parking is in the Billings Farm & Museum overflow lot, with a short but steep walk up the hill to the gardens.

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