Danielle Callens (left) and Alicia Kaffka, the owner of Paraiso Events Inc. in Osoyoos, are organizing the inaugural ‘Spectacular! NYE 13’ celebration, which will be held at the Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa in Osoyoos. Photo by Keith Lacey.
If you’re looking to bring in the New Year in elegance and style, there’s a big party in town you might want to check out.
Alicia Kaffka, the owner of Paraiso Events Inc., and her company’s newly-hired events planner Danielle Callens – who worked together to organize the highly-successful Osoyoos Celebrates festival in September, along with staff from Destination Osoyoos – are hoping to throw a New Year’s Eve party those in attendance won’t soon forget.
Paraiso Events is presenting the inaugural ‘Spectacular! NYE 13’ celebration at the Nk’Mip Conference Centre, located at the Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa in Osoyoos.
“We wanted to put something together that is elegant and stylish,” said Kaffka, who founded Pariaso Events 14 years ago. “There really hasn’t been any big higher-end New Year’s Eve celebration party in this town that I know of and I think the timing is right to try something like this.”
Spirit Ridge management was also looking to host a big event to bring in the new year, so everything has fallen into place to make this event a reality, said Kaffka.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work with Spirit Ridge over the past couple of years and we started talking about putting something really nice together and we came up with this idea,” she said. “The idea is to bring in the new year in style.”
The Nk’Mip Conference Centre will be transformed into an exclusive social masquerade event with just a hint of Mardi Gras flair, said Kaffka.
“The theme will definitely feature a masquerade idea as we will be providing the masks for everyone in attendance,” she said. “We also have a few fun things surrounding a Mardi Gras atmosphere. We think it will add up to a lot of fun. The evening will be full of many extraordinary surprises that will leave people talking.”
A bus load of 50 people from Vancouver have already signed up to attend the inaugural event as part of a visit to the region that includes wine tours and visits to other tourist attractions, she said.
Many of the people who attended the Red Carpet Soiree, the opening event at the Osoyoos Celebrates party in early September, have indicated they want to return to enjoy the same kind of atmosphere that made that event such a success, said Callens.
“They like the elegance and sophistication of that event and we plan on providing the same kind of experience for this New Year’s Eve celebration,” she said.
Music at the event will be provided by Atmosphere Professional DJ Services and there will also be a festive light show, champagne toast and dropping of a glitter ball at midnight, followed by dancing the night away, she said.
“We want to create a New Year’s event that will enchant Osoyoos,” said Kaffka. “We were fortunate to work with Destination Osoyoos and Nk’Mip Resort on the Red Carpet Soiree event in September and received rave reviews on the quality of the production and design. We aim to raise the bar again with this event and offer an unsurpassed New Year’s Eve experience.”
Paraiso Events is an event production, design, management and rental supply company with 14 years of experience.
While the event will be formal, there’s no requirement to rent a tuxedo or wear an expensive dress and jewelry, said Callens.
“It will be what I call dressy, but we don’t want people to feel they have to be extravagant,” she said. “This is a special night of celebration and we want people to feel comfortable, but there will obviously be people who go all out.”
The event will be licensed for 300 people and more than 100 tickets have already been sold, so anyone wanting to attend should get their tickets soon, said Kaffka.
Tickets are $30 per person and include a masquerade mask, canapés and a midnight toast. The event begins at 8:30 p.m.
Partial proceeds will be going to the local splash park that will be built in Osoyoos next year.
Spirit Ridge is offering room packages that include event tickets with an option to add a four-course dinner at Mica Restaurant. Information can be obtained by visiting the website at www.spiritridge.ca.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.paraisoevents.com. They can also be purchased using cash or cheque at Imperial Office Pro on Main Street in Osoyoos or by calling 250-276-4501.
