Springtime for UCR

Ever dream of strolling beautiful gardens while listening to live music and sampling fine wine and delicious food?

Well, now’s your chance to make your dream come true.

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UC Riverside’s Botanic Gardens (seen at left) will be hosting its 11th annual “Primavera in the Gardens” fundraiser from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17, in the gardens.

Tickets for the wine- and food-tasting event are $50 per person and are available by reservation and at the gate.

Appetizers will be provided by prominent Riverside restaurants and caterers, and wines will come from regional vineyards and wineries.

Among the more than 30 restaurants, caterers and vintners that participated last year were Mario’s Place, Caf Sevilla, Saffron at the Riverside Art Museum, Trader Joe’s, BevMo! Redlands, The Winery at Canyon Crest, Callaway Vineyards and Winery, Hart Winery and McDonald’s.

Um…just kidding about that last one.

Live music will be presented by the band Incendio. The event also will include a silent auction, featuring dozens of garden-related items.

Proceeds from the event benefit Botanic Gardens projects, including hosting thousands of touring school children each year.

To receive advance tickets, reservations should be postmarked by May 8. Make checks payable to UCR Foundation and send to Primavera, Botanic Gardens University of California, 92521-0124.

For more information, call (951) 784-6962, e-mail ucrbg@ucr.edu, or go to www.gardens.ucr.edu.

Sounds like a lovely time. Hope you call can make it!