“Amid the ocean and the wind, a woman of copper rose against the horizon: liberty enlightening the world,” Whoopi Goldberg narrates against drone footage capturing our most important national monument, The Statue of Liberty, who has majestically stood in New York Harbor for almost 140 years.
Of course, most Americans know that Lady Liberty was a gift to the United States from France to commemorate and solidify allyship between the nations and as Goldberg continues, “celebrate…two nations and their shared ideals of democracy.”
It only seems fitting, then, that for the milestone 250th anniversary America celebrated this 4th of July that France and the U.S. would team up to once again to honor our enduring friendship as nations, America’s longevity, and most importantly, Lady Liberty herself – who to this day still preaches the age-old adage to a nation built by immigrants: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Luckily, for this collaboration, Ronnie Davis and his team at GP were able to be part of bringing this celebration to life. Working closely with both the French government and the Evelyn Hill team at Liberty Island, GP catered and facilitated this landmark event, and our involvement once again attested to GP’s adaptability, problem solving, and determination to make such an important event as special as the light show on the statue was that evening.
One such example of this came up with what sounds like one of the simplest portions of service: serving champagne. Our French clients procured a champagne donation for the evening, and the event was of course set to take place outside so that guests could admire the statue and subsequent light show, all with wait staff passing flutes of bubbly alongside hors d’oeuvres.
From past experiences at previous Liberty Island events, however, it was noted that should there be any wind from the harbor that day, champagne flutes can be rather precarious and fall over easily. So, Ronnie worked closely with Jason Huber in GP’s design department to create a specialized passing tray in which the flutes were essentially held individually in 3-D printed racks, and guests could easily reach in and grab their flute. This innovation was one of many measures taken to account for the smallest details that make an event successful.
The evening culminated with first a red, white, & blue flyover before the Liberty Light show began in earnest. Lights in all different patterns danced across our statue, personifying the Lady Liberty many of us see on the horizon of our daily morning commutes. Lit up, she serves as our strongest reminder through 250 years of citizens consistently fighting for their freedoms that liberty is for all, near and far.
Event Menu
- Foie Gras Toast [CN] Brioche, Concord Grape, Pistachios
- Pepper Crusted Beef Filet [DF] Tomato Chutney & Black Bread Ficelle
- Lamb Summer Roll [GF, DF] Crispy Vegetables, Citrus Soy Aioli, Sesame Seeds, Cilantro
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates [GF] with Gorgonzola
- Tamari Ginger Tuna Poke [DF, GF] Crisp Sesame Tuile Potato Cornet [VT, GF]
- Wild Mushroom Mousse & Sorrel Truffle Creme & Duxelle Puff [VEGAN] Truffled Creme, Pickled Pioppini, Chervil
- Roasted Cherry Tomato Tatin [VEGAN] Savory Onion Jam, Chervil, Marigolds
