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The Ball on The Square is one of the most prestigious social events in Philadelphia due to its incredible mission, dedicated membership and desirable location. The 2012 Ball takes place on Thursday, June 21st in the heart of the city at Rittenhouse Square Park. A floating green oasis in an otherwise urban jungle, Rittenhouse Square Park is a precious gem to the residents and businesses that surround it. A gem worth preserving and protecting year after year despite shrinking public funding and ever increasing maintenance costs. The Friends of Rittenhouse Square, the amazing non-profit organization that puts on this incredible shindig every year, relies on the proceeds of the annual Ball on The Square to fund such mundane-yet-necessary maintenance and preservation needs as landscaping, lawn care, arborist services, sidewalk cleaning, fountain maintenance, fence and ironwork repair, security services and holiday lighting. EventQuip is honored to provide the tenting and weather protection for this prestigious Philadelphia event. {Photos: Steve Legato}
For the past twenty-two years, the Ball on The Square has been the only event permitted to take over Rittenhouse Square Park with tents, flooring, staging, air-conditioning units, restroom trailers and security vehicles. Perhaps that’s why it’s such a sought-after ticket as it’s truly a unique event experience in Philadelphia! But a new day has dawned and the Friends of Rittenhouse Square are now permitting the rental of the Ball tents on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights after the Ball. If you are interested in renting the tents, a once-a-year spectacular opportunity, please contact The Friends of Rittenhouse Square for more information. In the meantime, it’s great fun to look back at previous celebrations, such as the Ball of 2009, for a little tease as to what’s in store this June 21st!
The Ball on The Square of 2009 was a bit wet and a tad muggy; yet, the gala committee had planned ahead as we had plenty of tenting and air-conditioning on hand for everyone’s comfort. Even the colorful cocktail area was fully tented and guests enjoyed champagne, sushi, tapas and hors d’oeuvres without a hitch in their party spirit.
Although a relatively new catering company at the time, Stephen Starr Events provided a spectacular menu and impeccable service. A large ice-topped Luxury Sushi Bar was centrally located in the main cocktail tent. The talented sushi chefs from the famous Morimoto Restaurant kept the sushi coming as fast as the guests gobbled it up!
Once the rain stopped, and the cocktails were flowing, it was quite a challenge to tear guests away from the open-sided cocktail tents! But the vibrant dinner tent was ready for the PARTY! The Victorian Guard House is always the center focal point of the large dinner tent and also serves as the control booth for the duration of the event. Evantine Design‘s Brian Kappra, a long-standing Ball supporter and Rittenhouse Square business owner, created a festive environment using geometric shapes paired with orange, hot pink and crisp white decor elements. Square tables were dressed in either Haute Pink or Tangerine Vinyl, pale gray Bellini chairs provided modern seating and white dance floor tiles brightened up the sections of the existing terrace floor. The Gerber Daisy, such a happy flower, was used throughout the event from invitations to lighting.
When it comes to tenting a large party like this one in a public park, there are always security and installation issues to face right up up until and through the event. Cooking with an open flame magnifies the worries and concerns; yet, a cook tent is a necessity that can’t be avoided. Permits, inspections, clearances and additional inspections are needed but our talented production staff is prepared for any situation.
The annual Ball on The Square is held on the third Thursday of June in the heart of the Square. We encourage you to become a member of the Friends of Rittenhouse Square to be the first to receive an invitation to this always sold-out event. Otherwise, for more information on the Ball on The Square go to Friends of Rittenhouse Square.
{Photos: Steve Legato}[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
