Hope to see you on April 5 for the outdoor party of the year!

Historic Beaufort Foundation's Lafayette Soiree | April in Paris

April 5, at 6:30 pm, the grounds of Alison and Mark Guilloud’s historic (c. 1789) downtown home will be transformed into a lively 18th Century French Market for Historic Beaufort Foundation’s annual Lafayette Soiree. This year’s theme, April in Paris, pays homage to the home of US and French military hero Marquis de Lafayette who visited Beaufort in 1825 to speak at the Verdier House and then be honored at a ball celebrating his triumphant accomplishments in support of the US.

Thematic seasonal fare is being supplied by noteworthy downtown Beaufort restaurants. Onsite chefs will be Gary Lang and Beth Shaw from Breakwater Restaurant & Bar and Lantz Price from Saltus River Grill. Beaufort Bread Company and The Old Bull Tavern are also participating.

The Soiree will include both live and silent auctions and conclude with dancing, featuring renowned Atlanta band the CEO Show Band.

The Guilloud’s home, the Elizabeth Barnwell Gough House, has a storied history with Elizabeth herself being sited as “rebellious, hot tempered, and independent.” Hence, the 2014 Lafayette Soiree committee invites everyone to channel the rebellious spirit of Elizabeth for a night of fun.

Tickets, $125 per person, are available by calling the Foundation at 843-379-3331. Funds raised by the event support the Foundation’s mission of preserving, protecting, and presenting sites and artifacts of historic, architectural, and cultural interest throughout Beaufort County.

For event information, consult the Soiree’s Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/TheSoireeHBF or contact Erika Conefry at 201-906-3743. For details on the home or the historical significance of Lafayette’s visit, contact Maxine Lutz, Executive Director, Historic Beaufort Foundation.