Gala/Party: To celebrate the 25 years of caring for and engaging people with the South Mountain Reservation, the South Mountain Conservancy is holding an anniversary celebration at South Orange’s newly renovated Baird Center on Saturday evening, October 26th, from 7 to 10 p.m. The catered buffet dinner will feature the jazz trio Blue Sphere led by local keyboardist Bill Tally, a silent auction, a slide show of scenic places in the reservation, a contest of hidden reservation places, and much more. Tickets are $80 per person. To purchase tickets, click HERE.

(Note: We are calling it a Gala, but it is a Party Celebration and not overly formal: ties and jackets or dresses are not required.)

Silent Auction: The Conservancy is asking individuals and local organizations to help support its mission by donating a service, membership, or item to the silent auction. Auction items should have a value of $100 or more. This is a great way to both promote your organization and help us continue to serve the greater Essex County community through programs and unparalleled stewardship of the park. We will advertise all donors in the event literature and on our website. We will also allow remote bidding to reach a broader audience. If interested in donating to the auction, contact conservancygala@somocon.org. The Silent Auction will be operational starting mid-October.

Contest: If you would like to submit photos for the Hidden Places in the Reservation contest, please send them to anniversarygala@somocon.org. Include the map grid location and the trail. The photos should be places that are a challenge to identify, but not impossible (like a photo of standard tree!).

The Baird Center is located in Meadowland Park at 5 Mead St., South Orange, NJ, 07079.

25th Anniversary Event Committee
conservancygala@somocon.org

Dennis Percher, 973-868-6994
Sarah Jane Jelin, 973-222-2010
Penni Malakates, 202-531-1233
Ivette Canjura, 973-262-1897

Silent Auction -Bidding to Start Mid-October

You can bid on items even if you do not attend the event.

Silent Auction Sponsors to Date

  • Greenwood Gardens
  • Turtle Back Zoo
  • Sonny’s Bagels
  • The Sneaker Factory
  • Trader Joe’s
  • McLoone’s Restaurant
  • Essex County Safara Mini-Golf
  • Sassquad Trail Running Woodwork Shop
  • REI
  • Allan Wood Photography