The 13th annual Tour of the Gardens of Madison County will be held on May 5 and May 6. The event will showcase five local gardens and houses and will feature a variety of speakers, while helping to raise money for Madison-Ridgeland Academy (MRA).
The proceeds from this year's tour will go toward new buildings and technology upgrades for MRA.
Publicity Chair Sheramie Shore said the tour was originally founded to "show the beauty of our homes and gardens in the Madison County area, and show off our school."
Gardens ranging in size from courtyard areas to expansive landscapes will be shown. This year's tour will include gardens found at the Lost Rabbit Show House, along with the homes of Robbie Wilbur in Lost Rabbit, Ray and Rubie Howell in Northbay, Bill and Stephanie Billingsley on North Old Canton Road, and Mike and Olivia Martin on St. Augustine Drive.
Shore said the Lost Rabbit Show House will make this year's tour unique.
"In the past, it's [only] been private homes," she said.
Shore said the show house interior will have special furnishings for guests to view, as well.
The homes will feature tablescapes and landscapes supplied by area designers.
The featured speakers this year are John David Williams and Catherine Hansen Strange, authors of the book Fearless Entertaining, a guide to planning and pulling off personal gatherings. Williams and Strange have a combined 38 years of experience in coordinating and assisting social events.
Stephen Kirkpatrick, a professional photographer whose book Images of Madison County showcases the county's wilderness lands, will take shots of the garden tour.
An opening garden party will be held on May 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the home of Hugo and Susan Newcomb (known as "Jackson's Camp"), and will feature a live auction and drawdown.
Homes will open for viewing at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Guests can start at MRA, to procure of map of the tour, purchase tickets, and look through the Garden Gate Gift Shop. The shop will offer a number of gardening items and crafts, including Through the Garden Gate, a cookbook featuring recipes by MRA patrons and local restaurants. Baked goods will also be sold at the shop while supplies last.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the school or online at www.mragardens.com for $12 a person or $10 a person for groups of 10 or more. Otherwise they can be purchased at the Garden Gate Gift Shop or each featured home on the day of the event for $15 for non-seniors and $10 for seniors.
For more information, call MRA at 601-856-4455 or visit the MRA gardens website.
