When our sea of white finally flowed onto the magnificent grounds of Girard College, the theme, “100 Years of Gatsby,” came to life. It was breathtaking. The historic, columned façade of Founder’s Hall served as the perfect backdrop for a party Jay Gatsby himself would have envied. I had chosen a fringed flapper-style dress and a feathered headband, and looking around, it was clear that 5,000 guests had truly embraced the Roaring 20s. There were cloche hats, strands of pearls, and dapper gentlemen in white suits as far as the eye could see.
We set up our little Parisian bistro for two, uncorked a bottle of champagne, and just soaked it all in. The air buzzed with the authentic sounds of the Jazz Age, thanks to the incredible live music from Parlour Noir and Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society Band. We spotted costumed performers like The Gimlet Girls adding to the vintage vibe, and we even saw guests taking spins in classic cars for tours of the grounds.
As dusk settled, the traditional waving of the white napkins signaled the official start of dinner. Sharing our meal and chatting with the friendly couples on either side of us, we felt that immediate sense of community that makes this event so special. Later, we wandered over to the Chambord station for a delicious tasting of their black raspberry liqueur—a perfectly sweet interlude.
The night culminated in the iconic sparkler moment. Seeing 5,000 points of light illuminate the sky against the historic architecture, with jazz still faintly playing, was pure magic. We clinked our glasses one last time, feeling completely swept away by the glamour, the community, and the unforgettable fantasy of it all. It wasn’t just a dinner; it was a time machine to the most stylish party of the century.
