From global phenomenon to highly sought-after “secret,” Le Dîner en Blanc returns to Philadelphia on Thursday, August 17, 2017 for an unforgettable evening filled with food, wine, fashion, culture and music. The event expands to 5,200 guests for its sixth edition - making it the largest ever held in the United States.

Dressed in white from head to toe, attendees will celebrate and re-purpose an unexpected public space that is revealed only moments before the event begins. Past locations in Philadelphia have included Logan Circle (2012), JFK Bridge (2013), Avenue of the Arts (2014), The Navy Yard (2015) and outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2016). Where will the impromptu picnic touch down in 2017? Stay tuned as only time will tell.

“We are thrilled to return this summer with the 6th edition of Le Dîner en Blanc -Philadelphia,” said co-host Natanya DiBona. “Last year's 5th anniversary event on the Parkway gave us the opportunity to really celebrate the strong connection to Paris that both our city and our event share. This year's event provides us with a different backdrop and another unique and interesting way to show off Philadelphia while having a fabulous party.”

Part mystery tour, part pop-up feast and part je ne sais quoi, Le Dîner en Blanc is a magical evening that celebrates and re-purposes public space. Bystanders will witness groups of guests all dressed in white gathering at specific rallying points all across the city. Guided by volunteers, these groups will then converge on a unique and unexpected setting, travelling by chartered bus or public transportation. Guests will bring their own gourmet feast, table, chairs and table setting. Over the course of the evening, they will eat and celebrate amid music, entertainment and dancing.

The evening is filled with visually breathtaking moments including the waving of a cloth napkin to mark the beginning of the dinner and the lighting of sparklers to let guests know they are now free to mingle and dance. When at the end of the evening the trumpet sounds, guests pack up all of their belongings, pick up all their litter and head back into the night, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry.

REGISTRATION SCHEDULE

Potential guests interested in attending the 2017 event for the first time can sign up on the waiting list at the website (https://philadelphia.dinerenblanc.com/register). The final day to add yourself to the waiting list in time for the 2017 Phase 3 lottery is July 17, 2017 at Noon. As of today, more than 42,000 interested parties have added themselves to the waiting list. The wait list does not guarantee a spot to Le Dîner en Blanc - Philadelphia. It does ensure that those signed up to the wait list will be notified when Phase 3 goes on sale on July 18th through a lottery system.

The full registration schedule is as follows:

* Phase 1 starts July 6, 2017 - Registration opens for last year’s registered members
** Phase 2 starts July 13, 2017 - Registration opens for friends sponsored by Phase 1 members
** Phase 3 Lottery starts July 18, 2017 - Lottery software selects names from waiting list in random order, event lottery runs until event is sold out

“The lottery system gives all waiting list members in Phase 3 an equal chance to secure a registration slot,” added DiBona.

NEW CHARITY AUCTION

For those wanting to support a great cause, Le Dîner en Blanc - Philadelphia launches its first charity auction starting tomorrow (July 7th).

Every year since the first Le Diner en Blanc - Philadelphia in 2012, co-hosts have donated event registrations to various organizations which were used to auction at their own benefits and galas throughout the year. The co-hosts have also supported local causes through other programs, such as the recent auction of a piece of art made on-location by a local artist.

"Each year we donate event tickets to various organizations which they auction at their own benefits and galas throughout the year," said DiBona. "Through our agreement with Diner en Blanc International, we are not allowed to officially partner the entire event with a charity, so this method allows us to reach a variety of organizations ranging from the American Red Cross and Alex’s Lemonade Stand. We also conduct special auctions that relate to the space or the event in particular, for instance recently auctioning a painting that was done by a PAFA student, Nicole Parker, at last year’s event at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The proceeds raised went directly to PAFA."

For 2017, the co-hosts will continue to support charitable events and causes around the region through similar donations, but they will also launch a new online charity auction series starting July 7th.

The public is invited to bid on three sets of registrations for six people each, along with tables, chairs and linens to the main event. The first auction link will be posted tomorrow at 2pm and will be shared on the Le Dîner en Blanc – Philadelphia Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The second auction will begin the day of Phase 2 on July 13th and the third auction will begin the day of Phase 3 on July 18th.

Place your bids here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Registration-for-6-people-to-attend-Diner-en-Blanc-Philadelphia-August-17th/142437934045

One hundred percent of proceeds from the auctions will be donated to the Fairmount Park Conservancy.

"This year we are also auctioning a few spots to the event that will benefit the Fairmount Park Conservancy, the nonprofit organization that partners with the city of Philadelphia to preserve and improve Philadelphia parks," added DiBona. "We have worked very closely with the City’s Parks and Recreation department throughout the years as we have planned Diner en Blanc, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to support their work by raising funds for their key partner, Fairmount Park Conservancy. We strongly believe in their mission to champion open and green spaces, and to enhance the quality of life and stimulate economic development of the Greater Philadelphia Region."

For more about the Fairmount Park Conservancy, visit http://myphillypark.org

WHAT TO BRING
In order to maintain the uniqueness of Le Dîner en Blanc, as well as staying true to the long-standing traditions, guests must observe the following:

Guests must dress from all in elegant and stylish white.
Table settings must be white.
Guests meet at their assigned departure location and are escorted to the final destination by Dîner en Blanc volunteers.
Guests should be prepared to attend the event rain or shine.
All guests must leave the event location and neighorbood as clean as when they arrived. Guests are required to leave with their belongings, including leftovers and litter.

Guests must bring:

A table, two white chairs, a white tablecloth, stemware and dinnerware.
A picnic basket with fine food and drink. Food should be brought in reusable and/or recycled containers.
Champagne or wine (optional).

NEW CULINARY PARTNERS

A catered gourmet picnic option, which can be picked up at the site, will be also available for those who do not wish to prepare their own. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online through Dîner en Blanc e-store during registration. This year’s official culinary partners include Feast Your Eyes Catering, Collective Creamery and 1732 Meats. Full menus and more information will be shared in mid-July, along with photos of selections for this year.

Le Dîner en Blanc – Philadelphia greatly acknowledges Evian Badoit as the national partner of the 2017 US Le Dîner en Blanc Series.

CONNECT

For full details on the event’s rules and regulations, please visit the official website: http://philadelphia.dinerenblanc.com/.

Connect with organizers by following Dîner en Blanc- Philadelphia on Facebook, @Dînerenblancphl on Instagram and @debphl on Twitter. Hashtags for 2017 are: #debphl17 #dinerenblanc #dinerenblancphilly

For a look back at 2016’s event at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAXPpJZIK1k