In partnership withBand Together and La Fête Planning & Design our annual fundraising event, An Evening To Ignite, was a night to remember! Hundreds of individuals came together in support of our 2025 charity partner, Ripe For Revival, a local non-profit dedicated to combat food insecurity by providing accessible, nutritious food using Mobile Markets. They believe in building communities by utilizing large buses and trailers that are transformed into a pay-what-you-can system to provide access to fresh and local foods to areas that are considered "food deserts." What started as an idea and a dream in 2017 to bring together community members and events industry vendors to make a large-scale impact for one local, grassroots nonprofit has become a reality and grown into an annual event that raises over $150,000 each year! With the amazing support of our sponsors, vendors and local community, we are so proud to announce that $258,610.02 was raised for Ripe For Revival! Every single dollar that was raised will help bring fresh and affordable food to the Triangle!

The Reason

At the heart of it all is Ripe For Revival, a nonprofit dedicated to reconnecting the food system and bringing fresh, local food to communities facing food insecurity. Their pay-what-you-can mobile markets travel across central and eastern North Carolina, offering affordable produce, proteins, and essentials to those who need it most. The success of An Evening To Ignite is made possible by the generosity of our vendor community, who give their time, talent, staffing, materials, and inventory to support this cause. We are so incredibly grateful to be part of such an impactful mission. This year, An Evening To Ignite raised over $250,000, directly supporting Ripe For Revival’s efforts to nourish both bodies and communities. Thanks to every supporter, we are one step closer to making fresh food accessible for all.

Photography by Jillian Knight

The Food

This year's VIP Chef’s Dinner was held at Junction West, where guests were transported to a tropical paradise with a handcrafted multi-course dinner prepared by the inventive Chef Jacob Boehm of Snap Pea Creative Dining. The VIP Chef's Dinner also included an exotic bar experience by Junction West with wines donated by Copper Cane Wine and beer from Trophy Brewing Company. The island inspired flavors, delicious wines, colorful palm tree centerpieces, and a show stopping tablescape, sponsored by American Party Rentals and Party Reflections, set the tone for the extraordinary evening ahead.

Photography by Jillian Knight

The Decor

If you can imagine walking into a sophisticated, high-energy evening inspired by the golden age of Latin nightclubs, then you can start to picture the extraordinary energy that took place. Guests were welcomed with a bold "Viva Ignite" sign by Heron Events and guided through a fabric draped tunnel by Party Tables, where a refreshing Cuban 75 was awaiting. From there, the experience at Merrimon-Wynne truly transformed into A Night At The Tropicana with vibrant florals by Heritage Floral Design, floating rattan pendants by Curated Events, velvet lounges, a decorated center stage, with dancers from Elevate, and tropical furnishings by Party Reflection's.

Photography by Jillian Knight

The Outfits

Let's just say, when the guests heard the dress code and theme, they understood the assignment! Each guest arrived decked out in bold prints, vibrant colors, and retro silhouettes. The iconic head pieces, fuchsia feathers, and linen suits brought all the more fun and bliss of the event to life. Every outfit became part of the story that created the unforgettable experience.

Photography by Jillian Knight

The People

What truly made the night one for the books were the people who filled the space. From generous donors to passionate non-profit leaders to the visionary vendors and the guests who showed up ready to give and to celebrate, thank you for everything! The energy was incredible and we can't stop thinking about everyone dancing the night away during Silent Disco by Coastal Credit Union, the memories captured at the 360 degree photo booth by ZimZoom, and live music & entertainment provided by East Coast Entertainment. 

Photography by Jillian Knight

We Hope To See You Next Year!

To all our event sponsors, thank you so much for partnering with us to serve our community in a tangible way and for helping us raise $118,110.02 through sponsorships alone! Your immense generosity made this event possible and we could not have made such a large impact without you!

To all our vendors, we are truly in awe of your continued support and dedication, year after year. Your fully donated services and extraordinary talents are the heartbeat of An Evening To Ignite. You help us transform a vision into an unforgettable experience, and your generosity creates an atmosphere where purpose meets celebration. We are deeply grateful for the time, creativity, and heart you pour into every detail.

To our attendees, thank you for helping us make this the party of the year! We’re so appreciative of your willingness to spend your evening with us in support of Ripe For Revival! We are beyond excited to see all that the future holds for Ripe For Revival!