COCHECTON CENTER – The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) invites you to its Summer Garden Party on Saturday, August 30 at 4pm for a magical evening under the stars at Ladybug Land,  13 Old County Road, Cochecton, a private artist-hosted garden in Cochecton Center.

As the summer winds down, this festive outdoor gathering offers a chance to soak in the season’s final golden hour with farm-to-table dining, live music, handcrafted cocktails, a big bonfire, and a curated auction of one-of-a-kind local experiences, all in support of DVAA’s work sustaining the arts and culture of the region.

The evening will feature a vibrant, locally inspired menu crafted by celebrated chef Mercedes Golip, founder of the Casa Masa Project. Based in Bethel, Mercedes draws on her Venezuelan heritage and a deep understanding of maize’s cultural significance to create dishes that are rich in story and flavor. Her cooking blends time-honored techniques with peak-season ingredients from the region, resulting in a meal that’s as soulful as it is unforgettable. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, America’s Test Kitchen, and Edible Brooklyn, among others.

“We’re excited to gather with our community, old friends and new,” says DVAA Executive Director Ariel Shanberg, “in support of the vibrant spirit DVAA fuels, which truly makes this region a special place to live and visit.”

Ladybug Land, lovingly cared for by local artists, offers the perfect setting: a landscape of open fields, tucked-away nooks, and creative touches that reflect DVAA’s values of imagination, hospitality, and connection to place.

Early Bird Tickets are $100 (available through August 1) 

General Admission Tickets are $125 (available August 2–22)  and Week of Tickets are $150 (August 23–30, if available). Tickets may be purchased by calling 845- 252-7576 or online at delawarevalleyartsalliance.org/garden.

Proceeds from the Garden Party help power DVAA’s year-round exhibitions, performances, and community festivals, including Riverfest  and the Big Eddy Film Festival (September 25-28), while also supporting DVAA’s role in administering over $100,000 in arts funding to individual artists and local arts organizations across the region in 2025.

Attending guests won’t just enjoy a beautiful evening, they actively help sustain the region’s cultural ecosystem – a place shaped by artists, makers, and independent thinkers – and gather with others who believe in the power of the arts to enrich everyday life.