Dîner en Blanc, the elegant flash mob feast, is set to take place in Philadelphia for the first time. On August 23, over a thousand people are expected to gather at a secret iconic location in Philly for the viral event.
Le Dîner en Blanc is an al fresco dinner party that is organized through word of mouth and social media. The location is never revealed until the day of the event. Even the time of the event is a secret. Invited guests are given certain meeting points, where they'll arrive at and then be led to the secret dining location.
The event takes on the flash mob idea, but instead of a dance, it's an organized dinner in a public spot. Guests must wear all white and bring their own white tables and chairs and even food. The tables are decorated with candelabras, candles and giant flower arrangements while guests eat off of fine china and polished silverware and drink from crystal glasses.
The Dîner en Blanc was started in Paris by a group of friends in 1988. Now, Paris' Dîner en Blanc brings in 15,000 people. It has been hosted at landmark spots like the Eiffel Tower site, the Château de Versailles, by the Louvre Pyramid and more.
The event, which is held in over 20 cities across five continents, first came to America in 2011 in New York City. This year, the event will be held in nine U.S. cities. On Aug. 20, New York's second Dîner en Blanc was held at Lincoln Center and was attended by over 3,000 guests.
Now, Philadelphia will get its first all-white picnic. The event is sold out and will attract 1,300 guests. They were able to purchase tickets for about $50 per couple. Many will bring their own homemade food, but other may opt for a pre-paid meal from the event's official caterer, Garces Catering.
The location is top secret and even members of the hired band, the Hot Club of Philadelphia, have no idea where it is, but everyone will find out on Thursday evening.
According to the event's Facebook page, there will be prizes for the most elegantly decorated table and outfits. The prizes include Dinner for Two at Le Bec Fin, a Night at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, and a $500.00 Williams-Sonoma Philadelphia shopping spree. The page also says that there will be an after party. Details of the location will be given by Table Hosts when guests arrive at their designated meeting spots.
So far, the feasts have taken place in New York, Paris, Lyon, Amsterdam, Munich, Zürich, Berlin, Toronto, Quebec, Milano, and Montreal. Several other cities across the United States and the world will hold their feasts all the way to November.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
