Billed as THE social event of the season, the Kirkland Downtown Association (KDA) held their 6th annual fundraiser Oct. 11 on a sold-out Lake Washington dinner cruise aboard the Argosy Cruises ship MV Kirkland.

Known in the past as the KDA’s “Garden Party,” the fundraiser is primarily dedicated to maintaining the area’s decorative flower pots and to keep the association’s efforts to promote the downtown-area going. About 120 guests attended the event and paid $40 per person to enjoy the evening cruise, cocktails, locally prepared cusine from Lake Street Catering and dancing to the cover-band tunes of local musicians Middleman Bob.

According to KDA promotions manager Julie Metteer, the event raised $7,000 this year. Much of the money raised will be spent on the KDA’s 93 downtown flower pots. Sponsorships for downtown flower pots and a “silent auction” were available for guests offering donations to the cause, in return for the various goodies on display. So far, five sponsors have signed up as sponsors, earning them a small plaque engraved with their names on the respective pots and the gratitude of passers by who enjoy the floral beauty of the displays.

“It was a great success,” Metteer said. “People came from all over that attended (the Fall Ball) — from Bellevue, Sammamish and from further up north.”

Totem Lake Landscaping company Kalidescope maintains the decorative plants and each display costs the KDA $250 for the year. The flower pots are replanted 3 times a year with flora corresponding with the season (and left dormant over winter with the fall plantings). Metteer said it usually costs $23,000 in total to pay for the downtown flower pots and the KDA still needs to raise another $5,000 to keep the program afloat. After being cut from the city’s Public Works Department budget several years ago, the planters are now maintained by the KDA and receives an annual $8,500 grant from the city to defray some of the cost. With an estimated $17 million in city budget cuts expected the coming weeks, the grant money is one of many programs rumored to be on the chopping block.

“This year, it more important than ever that we raise enough money to keep it going,” Metteer said.

The ship’s owners, musicians and catering also contributed to the KDA, offering their services free-of-charge. Other sponsors included local businesses Humanature Photography, Mermaid Hair Extensions, The Slip Restaurant, Sweet Cakes Bakery and Fena Flowers.