It's happened before - plenty of times. Despite all best efforts to throw a garden party in May at the JC Raulston Arboretum, spring interjects an unrelenting downpour. So, for attendees of this year's "Gala in the Garden," the rain was no more a hindrance than simply a familiar, if unwelcome guest.

In fact, the gardens were resplendent in the showers, a verdant sea spiked with clusters of vibrant yellow, purple and crisp white, soaking up a long-awaited drink and heralding the beginning of a new season.

The rain was heavy and cold, but spirits were high and the mood festive. Nearly 450 partygoers sloshed through the arboretum's grounds, dodging muddy rivulets carved into the grass by the steady downpour.

With umbrellas no match for the weather, gala guests gave up on keeping dry their shoes, wide-brimmed hats and other garden party finery. They enjoyed an elaborate silent auction with a dazzling array of plants from around the country, refreshments and, most of all, each other's company in this place that is close to their hearts.

Nearly every person who delivered remarks during the reception used the word "family" to describe the community of faculty, staff, volunteers, friends and supporters of the JC Raulston Arboretum. And this year, the arboretum family celebrates the 30th birthday of its beloved institution.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Johnny C. Wynne kicked off the indoor program by paying tribute to the arboretum's late director and founder, Dr. J.C. Raulston.

"Today, we celebrate a very special professor, who in 1976 had the idea to take his students to a little parcel of land on Beryl Road and not only give them a hands-on education but give them inspiration and teach them passion and excitement over the possibilities of new plant discoveries," Wynne said to the crowd warming up with hot coffee inside the arboretum's Ruby C. McSwain Education Center.

This year's gala raised nearly $75,000 for the arboretum. Built and maintained by N.C. State students, faculty, staff and volunteers, the eight-acre arboretum is a nationally acclaimed garden with the most diverse collection of cold hardy temperate zone plants in the southeastern United States. Part of the College's Department of Horticultural Science, the arboretum is primarily a working research and teaching garden.

"The arboretum is much more than a collection of plants, but of people," said arboretum director Dennis Werner. "Your spirit and your support are what make this a special place."

N.C. State Provost Larry Nielsen drew laughter with his opening statement that "with any more rain, this could be called the JC Raulston Arboretum and Fish Hatchery." All kidding aside, Nielsen paid tribute to the arboretum's significant contributions over the last 30 years.

"The arboretum is a real jewel in N.C. State's crown, and its research, education, extension and public outreach are vitally important," he said. "The arboretum serves as a living laboratory for N.C. State students and is committed to its mission to train the next generation of horticulturists, while supporting the economic growth of the nursery and landscape industries in North Carolina."

The afternoon program continued with remarks from gala co-chairs Linda and Tommy Bunn, who recognized the contributions of the gala committees, and comments from honorary co-chairs Mary Ann and Greg Poole.

One of the afternoon's highlights was a commemorative video chronicling the arboretum's history and growth. With myriad photos of the people, events and milestones that have made the JC Raulston Arboretum what it is today, the video drew laughter and tears, knowing nods and wide smiles.

With an eye to the future, the video fittingly concluded the day's festivities by featuring a note handwritten by Raulston that read, "Plan - and plant for a better world."

-Suzanne Stanard