By Devonte Demby/The Natchez Democrat

It’s that time of year again, and the Natchez Garden Club promises this year’s Fall Bash will be a better treat than ever.

The Natchez Garden Club will host its annual fundraiser to help fund enhancements to Magnolia Hall and the House on Ellicott Hill.

The Fall Bash will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25, at Rip Rap, 411 S. Rankin St. Rip Rap is the home of Brenda and Richard Edgin.

Every year the NGC raises money to maintain Magnolia Hall.

“Older homes need a lot of tender love and care,” Fall Bash chairman Jennie Guido said. “These fundraisers are what helps the NGC keep up and maintain these homes.”

Magnolia Hall was built in 1858 and features a well-proportioned portico with Ionic columns and a hooded doorway.

In 1976, the house was deeded as a gift to the Preservation Society of Ellicot Hill, the preservation arm of NGC.

Guido said that keeping the historical home intact would be important to the City of Natchez.

“Magnolia Hall is one of our homes that is on tour every year, and we want to get people here to tour our city.”

Without this fundraiser, the NGC would not be able to maintain Magnolia Hall or continue further projects at the house, Guido said.

Former NGC President Cheryl Rinehart said Magnolia Hall is in phase two of restoration.

Funds raised by the Fall Bash this year will go toward window repairs and painting Magnolia Hall.

The NGC has already completed phase one and repaired some of the shutters, Rinehart said.

“We have done a painting study by a historical paint specialist who determined the original color of the building,” Rinehart said.

The NGC is an organization that is community oriented.

“It’s not just for us, we see maintaining this building and trying to put if back to stellar beauty as part of a community project,” Rinehart said. “Any benefits that we do are for other people outside of our clubs, not just us.

“Ellicott Hill was the first restored building in Mississippi by a group of volunteers, which was the NGC,” Rinehart said.

Rinehart believes this year’s Fall Bash can help save history.

“The NGC’s history is about restoring history,” Rinehart said. “This is not just for ourselves or a social event, but a means to maintain Natchez.”

The Fall Bash will feature a silent auction with packages that will include four tickets to the LSU and New Mexico State game, a dinner at Cedars Plantation with Tate Taylor, a weekend’s stay at a Lake St. John home, a trip to an exclusive cottage in Gatlinburg, Tenn., a photo session with T.G. McCary, a year of flowers from Moreton’s Flowerland, the opportunity to host a party at Rip Rap, and more items from local businesses, artists and donors in the Natchez area.

Not only is this year’s event packed with promising packages, but it will also include appetizers, wine and beer, and music by “Speakeasy.”

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased prior to the event at the office of the NGC or by calling at 601-443-9065.