Por Jeff Clemetson | Editor

The second annual Enchanted Garden Gala was held Oct. 17 at the Water Conservation Garden, located at Cuyamaca College.

The gala is the Conservation Garden’s largest fundraising event of the year, and with roughly 195 people in attendance, it grossed nearly $85,000. Revenue came from tickets and both live and silent auction items, which included Southwest Airlines vouchers, a hand-made guitar, salon certificates and other items. Proceeds will support many of the the Garden’s youth and all-ages water conservation education programs.

Aside from the charity auctions, guests were also treated to dinner and entertainment by the performance group Nomad Artz, which helped transform the garden into a fairytale-like atmosphere complete with a mermaid, unicorn, butterflies, magic tricks, hula-hoop dancers, jugglers and more.

Water Conservation Garden Director of Events Diane Owens organizes the annual gala, along with more than 70 volunteers. Planning of the special event takes almost an entire year, spokesperson Reema Boccia said.

The organization’s next event will be Plantstravaganza — a fall plant sale — on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. In addition to the sale of dozens of plant varieties, the event will also feature consultations on landscape design, experts offering planting advice, edible gardening, local water agencies highlighting rebates, and other useful information for those with or without green thumbs. For more information, visit thegarden.org.

See below for more photos by Jeff Clemetson

–Write to Jeff Clemetson at [email protected].