Last year, I didn’t find out about Le Diner en Blanc until it was almost over. I noticed some of my Facebook friends frantically trying to borrow white folding chairs and then I saw people dressed in white appearing to be having a grand time. What was it all about and how did I miss it?
A few days went past and I saw the stories in the paper about the first Diner en Blanc (DEB) in Pittsburgh. It sounded like the type of event that I would like to be a part of. I made up my mind that if this was to be an annual event that I would attend year two. From what I read on the DEB website, you needed to register and then wait. What? Wait? It was suggested that I ask someone who attended the previous year to assist me. I registered and began to receive emails that explained the process. Finally, I was in. I was asked to select a table leader and a pedestrian leader. I tried to pick two ladies that looked friendly. The fee was $29 a person. This covers the fees that are paid to secure the space for the dinner.
This is not a party for faint at heart. You can’t just show up in your white outfit. The white outfit was the least of my worries. There are strict guidelines and I was worried that I may not get something right. My sister was in town on that weekend and I asked her to be my guest. I explained to her before she arrived and told her to bring a white outfit, not cream not beige, white. I also told her about the table requirements and that I thought my card table was too large. That’s right, you have to bring your own table and chairs. Her table was just right; so she put in the trunk and headed to Pittsburgh.
Not only did we have to wear an elegant white outfit, but we had to have a white table cloth, white cloth napkins and white dinner wear; no paper plates or plastic forks allowed. It was suggested that we have a centerpiece and you had an option to bring your own meal or purchase one that you could pick up at the secret location. Huh?
Oh I didn’t tell you that you don’t know where you are going until that day and not really until the last minute. This is part of the mystique. You pick one of several meeting places and then you get there to meet your pedestrian leader. Picture two ladies over 60 with table and chairs on wheels, food packed in a cooler with wheels, walking with hundreds of others dressed in white parading through Downtown Pittsburgh. It was a sight to see. Our final destination was in the middle of PPG place. Once we got set up, it was fun and really a beautiful idea.
Will I do it again? I say yes now that I know the drill and I’ll be ready for year three.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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