The 51st Dearborn Garden Walk Adds Literary Garden Tour – Stroll Through Five Inspiring Vignettes

June 29, 2009 - PRLog -- The North Dearborn Association is proud to announce the addition of a “Literary Garden Tour” during its annual Dearborn Garden Walk set for Sunday, July 19, 2009. The event runs from 12pm-5pm and begins at 1300 N. Dearborn Parkway, Chicago, IL 60610 (entrance at corner of Goethe and Dearborn streets). Tickets are $35.00 on July 19, 2009 and $30.00 in advance. Advance sales end on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 12:00pm. For ticket purchase information, please call: 312-632-1241 or visit: http://www.DearbornGardenWalk.com.

Take a self-guided walking tour of more than 20 private, rear gardens throughout the Near North neighborhood. This year’s Garden Walk will feature more new gardens than ever! Each year, the NDA seeks out only the best gardens in the neighborhood and this year, they are excited to announce the addition of five, never before seen gardens that range from beautifully balanced with an Asian tranquility to manicured French Provencal style garden.

Building upon last year’s “Designer Vignette” portion of the Garden Walk, the NDA is proud to announce the addition of a “Literary Garden Tour” to its program. Take a stroll among several classic stories in a thought-provoking, never-before-seen outdoor display created by five talented design teams:  
•   Brian Snow of Semel-Snow Interior Design Inc. has chosen John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” in which he will skillfully recreate the Garden of Eden
•   Step into the  nostalgic world of Peter Pan and “Return to Never Land” in this dramatic vignette created by the designers of the Susan Fredman Design Group.
•   Venture off the beaten path to discover “The Emperor and the Nightingale,”  a private oasis made of Bernardaud Porcelain in a garden to rival all by Meg Prendergast and Stanley Smith
•   Soucie Horner Ltd.’s “Alice in Wonderland” will feature Alice’s teaparty in a magical garden that is truly a wonderland!
•   Based upon “Tales of Alhambra,” Genevieve Lethu will masterfully recreate the most beautiful city in the world

Due to the overwhelming popularity of past years’ hour-long guided architectural tour of historic Dearborn Parkway; this year’s walk will include a new time! Visitors can now take advantage of this wonderfully entertaining and educational guided walking tour of the neighborhood at the following times: 1:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5:00pm. The tour includes both pre and post-Chicago fire structures, sites that have been used in movies, homes formerly occupied by famous celebrities including a U.S. President!

For out-of-town visitors, Hotel Indigo, located at 1244 N. Dearborn Parkway, Chicago, IL 60610 – just steps from the garden walk - is offering an exclusive Dearborn Garden Walk package that includes a one-night hotel stay and breakfast for two on July 18th and July 19th, 2009, for only $169. Guests can book their hotel stay by visiting www.DearbornGardenWalk.com under the ‘Garden Walk’ tab or by calling the hotel directly at: 866-521-6950 and mentioning the Dearborn Garden Walk.

Advance ticket purchasers will automatically be entered in a drawing for some fabulous hotel and restaurant packages including: dinner for four at Frankie’s Neighborhood Italian and a gift certificate from Mity Nice Grill.

Children 16 years of age and younger accompanied by an adult are free. North Dearborn Association Partner in Preservation members, receive one complimentary Garden Walk ticket.  Admission includes a Dearborn Garden Walk program with a map for a self-guided tour of the gardens, live jazz and classical music in select gardens, and guided architectural tours of historic Dearborn Parkway. To become a North Dearborn Association Partner in Preservation member and receive one free admission or to order advance non-refundable tickets, telephone 312-632-1241; order on-line www.dearborngardenwalk.com; send check or money order payable to NDA c/o Carol Truesdell, 1241 N. Dearborn Street, #1, Chicago, IL 60610; or fax with credit card and mailing info to: 312-944-9342.

Editors Note: Hi-res images of gardens and vignettes are available upon request.

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About The North Dearborn Association
The North Dearborn Association (NDA) is dedicated to the preservation and beautification of its Near North neighborhood. Proceeds from the Dearborn Garden Walk go back into the community for preservation and beautification efforts. The association recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, at which Mayor Richard M. Daley complimented it as “representing the best part of what is good about this city.” The NDA is a member-supported organization. To become involved or for more information, please visit: http://www.northdearbornassociation.com.