SEERSUCKER SOCIAL

Southern hospitality in force at fundraiser

Matthew Pate and Rachel Stephens were picked as "Best Dressed" at the eighth annual Seersucker Social, a fundraiser for the Old State House Museum's school bus fund. The take helps finance varying aspects of schoolchildren's field trips to the museum. The May 18 lawn party was held on the sodded front of the museum.

"It celebrates that charm and tradition of wearing seersucker in the summer," said Rae Ann Fields, the museum's development director.

Men bedecked in seersucker pants, jackets or suits and women in colorful summertime dresses mingled on the lawn sipping specialty drinks whipped up for the evening: The Seersucker and Mint Julep made with bourbon and the popular pink Debutante, heavy on the vodka. An hors d'oeuvres buffet was also available.

Fields said the event raised about $4,000, which will go toward raising the number of field trips from 10 in 2016-2017 to -- hopefully -- 15 in 2017-2018. The money goes toward everything from gas to paying substitute teachers and bus drivers. Teachers apply to receive the funds.

The party was hosted by the 1836 Club, one of two friends groups that help support the museum's programs. The club served as judges for the Best Dressed selections. Stephens wore an off-the-shoulder mustard-colored and white checked print dress with magenta stiletto heels -- an unusual combination that drew tons of attention.

"I think that's what won it for her," Fields said.

High Profile on 05/28/2017

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