VIEW & PURCHASE GALA PHOTOS 1  (Chris Ferenzi Photography)

VIEW & PURCHASE GALA PHOTOS 2  (Lancer Photography)

A Midsummer Night's Dream Gala in the Park on Saturday, May 17, 2025 was an enchanted evening fundraiser for Glen Echo Park!

The night began with festive cocktails and a silent auction in the Park’s iconic Bumper Car Pavilion, followed by dinner and honors in the historic Spanish Ballroom, the return of the Boogie in the Bumper Car Disco Afterparty, and—of course—rides on the 104-year-old Dentzel Carousel. 🎠

Gala Co-Chairs Marsha Ashley & Dhani Jones and Barbara & John Martin hosted the most fun gala in Washington! Gala in the Park Program >>

🪩 Boogie in the Bumper Car was back and better than ever! This year's Gala in the Park Afterparty was an incredible night of disco, dancing, drinks, and dessert. All for a great cause—supporting the Park you love! Every beat on the dance floor kept our beloved Park alive and thriving.

It wasn't just an Afterparty. It was a celebration of the arts, of connection, and of a community that believes in creativity, expression, and joy. So we packed the floor and danced for a cause! 💃 🕺 

2025 Friend of the Park Honorees

ADVOCACY Award |  Ilana Trachtman, Director, Ain't No Back To A Merry-Go-Round

INNOVATION Award  |  Jay Sunny Bajaj, Founder & CEO, Digital Capital Partners

ARTIST Award  | Karen Keating, Former Director, Photoworks

Emcee

Lesli Foster, WUSA9

THANK YOU Gala Sponsors!

Platinum Park Sponsor ||  Friends of Sunny Bajaj

Gold Carousel Sponsors ||  The Brand Guild • Total Wine & More

Crystal Pool Sponsors

Jason & Michelle Belinkie  || Georgetown Cupcake  ||  Knight & Ann Kiplinger  ||  Anthony M. Natelli Foundation  ||  Edward & Susan O'Connell ||  Ridgewells Catering  ||  Cam Crockett  & Lafe Solomon  ||  Jess Corbett & Doug Stafford  ||  Jim & Carol Trawick Foundation  ||  Gary Van Dyke ||  Mary-Frances Wain ||  Daniel & Savy Welch

Community Sponsors

Tisha & Blair Anderson  ||  Bannockburn Civic Association  ||  Cathy Bernard  ||  Bowa Builders  ||  Matthew & Nicole Byrd Donizetti  ||  Dan Hanlon and Loring Consulting Engineers  ||  Heather Hanson-Rivas & William Rivas  ||  Mona & Ayan Kishore  ||  Deborah Schumann, MD  ||  David M. Schwarz Architects, Inc.  ||  Robin & Sarah Salomon  ||  Tiny Jewel Box  ||  United Bank

Neon Cuddle Up Sponsors

Meryl Bloomrosen  ||  John Dix  ||  The Irish Inn at Glen Echo  ||  Ari Kapner & Camille Barnes  ||  Catherine and Ike Leggett  ||  Mara & Bruce Mayor  ||  OceanFirst Bank  ||  Ruppert Landscape

Fund-A-Need Boa Sponsors || Bowa Builders

Cocktail Sponsors || Yellowstone • Pantalones 

Gala in the Park Host Committee

Co-Chairs || Marsha Ashley & Dhani Jones • Barbara & John Martin

Tisha & Blair Anderson • Katherine & Benjamin Berman • Jayne Sandman & Jeff Dufour • Sarah Gordon & Sheila Fain • Lindsay & Fletcher Gill • Bart Hawe • Joe Himali • Sophie & Stephen LaMontagne • Laura & Mike Manatos • Erin & Greg McCahill • Arlena Pordoy • Andrea & Peter Rinaldi • Jeffrey Z. Slavin • Jess Corbett & Doug Stafford • Mary-Frances Wain • Heather Golde & Bram Weinstein

Questions? Contact Steve Longley, Interim Director of Development, slongley@glenechopark.org or 301-634-2230.

Each ticket is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. All proceeds benefit the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture.