Night Picnic

2022

A semi-annual event, the Night Picnic is a gathering I created to celebrate the unique magic of the outdoors at night. As a former summer camp nature director, I love inviting friends to embrace the night sky, the chirp of crickets, and if we’re lucky, the glimmer of fireflies.

Backyard, early evening, with multiple tables covered in celestial-print tablecloths. Star and moon shaped string lights and balloons decorate the yard.

The 2022 Night Picnic introduced a unique challenge: hosting a COVID-safe event that didn’t feel constrained.

Although by 2022, many folks were returning to a pre-pandemic normal, many of my friends have disabilities or chronic illnesses, which meant finding ways to create a new normal for ourselves replete with room for comraderie and magic.

I accomplished this by creating several seating areas, 6ft apart, with custom event signage each person or group could use to signal whether they were comfortable sitting with others, and if they preferred tablemates to mask.

Backyard, early evening. Clotheslines are draped with sheer constellation-print fabric and star-shaped string lights, and floor cushions are spread out on a constellation-print picnic blanket.

Lighting design is one of the key elements of planning the Night Picnic. While it’s a celebration of the night sky, often moonlight doesn’t provide enough illumination to comfortably serve and eat food, play board games, and read signage.

I used a combination of candles and battery-powered string lights, along with reflective materials, to provide soft but sufficient portable light for individual tables. Tables for games and food were situated to leverage brighter pre-existing site lighting, with decorative lighting to supplement these spaces aesthetically.

Close-up of picnic table with star-print tablecloth in backyard, early evening. A candlebra is lit with purple candles, and star-shaped string lights and silver balloons hang in background.

The 2022 picnic theme was celestial, incorporating both stellar bodies and witchy vibes, which offered rich narrative cues for signage, decor, and food and beverage theming.

Riffing on appropriately themed classic cocktails like the Necromancer, I developed signature drinks like an NA batch-cocktail called A Little Night Magic. Galaxy food was on-trend, and a color-changing, UV-reactive quinine galaxy lemonade was a crowd favorite.

I designed a full suite of event collateral, including drink labels, invitations, and event signage, including wayfinding and guest-driven safety signalling.

Close-up on small card table, covered with celestial-print cloth, with lit candles, small dish of candies, and a placard reading "Open Sky, Come one, come all."

Label from a drink bottle, violet on lavendar background: Image of crescent moon with leaf motif. Text reads: A Little Night Magic. Zero proof. Fennel, anise, wormwood, violet, elderflower.

Starry sky in a range of purple tones. Gold and white text over image reads: Night Picnic. A celestial celbration with snacks under the stars. Summer 2022. Bring a sense of wonder and a snack to share.

Climate Carnival