Secret to picnic fun is a mystery

Janine Bevege says people attending the White Night event on Sunday are to dress in white and pack their own picnic for dinner at a location to be disclosed on the day. Photo / Paul Taylor

A little piece of Paris finds its way to the heart of Hawke's Bay wine country with a brand new F.A.W.C! event on Sunday.

White Night takes the concept of a spectacular location, where people dress in white, pack a picnic to dine, drink wine and dance then disappear as quickly and mysteriously as they arrived, along with all evidence of their revelling.

It's based on an annual event in Paris called Diner en Blanc, which began as a picnic held by Franois Pasquier, now 70, in Paris in 1988. The guest list was so extensive, he asked everyone to wear white so they could find each other.

The theme continued in France, going international in Montreal about six years ago. But it was a New York debut in 2011 which made the rest of the world take note.

"We liked the idea of a mystery pop-up picnic, where everyone's dressed in white," Trinity Hill sales and marketing associate Janine Bevege said.

"We have borrowed the concept, everyone is going to bring along their own picnic, we will set up a long line - men on one side, ladies on the other."

It is not a BYO event but a selection of wines will be for sale on the night at a reasonable price; a first glass and condiments are included in the ticket price.

Local band The Kawekas will entertain the crowds with a huge repertoire of covers to suit all tastes.

There's also another twist: no one will know the location until the morning of the event. Guests will be notified by text and email where to go for the picnic which starts at 4pm.

"It's really just a good day in the sun, it's a bit different, it's intriguing to get to know people and share some food and a laugh," Ms Bevege said.

• Tickets are $35 per person or $70 for two, available from fawc.co.nz.