Two hundred friends of the arrived at the Four Seasons Denver the other night, expecting to spend a pleasant couple of hours enjoying music and refreshments on the hotel’s beautiful pool deck.
They were there to learn more about the 2015 edition of Saddle Up and Pack Your Bags: A Denver Suitcase Party from honorary chairmen Adam and Jennifer Daurio and SaddleUp founder Shery McDonald-Galbreath.
But when Mother Nature unleashed a furious storm — thunder, lightning and torrential rain that lasted for hours — everyone had to scramble for cover.
They took refuge in the hotel’s EDGE restaurant, surprising bartenders and servers alike.
The Four Seasons must train its employees well when it comes to expecting the unexpected, because in the blink of an eye the EDGE staff rallied, and the party went on as if it had been planned that way.
Or, as McDonald-Galbreath observed by adapting a quote from author Vivian Greene: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain. And at SaddleUp, we dance.”
The Suitcase Party, she added, is presented by Tempus Aircraft and will take place Aug. 7 in the hangar at Centennial Airport. In keeping with tradition, guests are told to arrive with bags packed because several of them will be jetting off that night to a luxury destination.
Guests will also be treated to food from several area restaurants, drinks and musical entertainment.
The launch party was hosted by Brian Bartlett, John Beauprez, Abby Perlmutter Miller, Louise Richardson, Kat Peterson and Matt Stewart.
Suitcase Party tickets can be reserved by e-mailing cristy@saddleupfoundation.org or by calling 303-788-1666.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/joannedavidson
