New York's exclusive Diner En Blanc descended into chaos on Wednesday as rains from Tropical Storm Barry drenched guests and sent them running for cover.
The event transportation NYC, which sees thousands of revelers don white outfits for an al fresco dining experience, takes place in a different location each year and was held in the city's famous Battery Park from 5.30pm.
But the 5,000-strong contingent of guests were forced to do battle with the elements as they stepped out to attend the glitzy dinner where invitees are told to conduct themselves with 'the greatest decorum, elegance, and etiquette' in order to be invited back.
Thankfully, gatherers had already quaffed plenty of champagne, tucked into their home-made or pre-order hamper baskets and taken part in the famous 7pm napkin wave before the storm disturbed the festivities, co-organizer Linda Davis told DailyMail.com on Thursday.
A huge lightning bolt strikes a building in New Jersey across the Hudson River as guests at the exclusive event attempt to take cover
Revelers flee from the pouring rain at the annual Diner En Blanc in Nelson Rockefeller Park in the borough of Manhattan
Participants shelter from the rain during the annual Diner en Blanc on Wednesday evening. Guests were drenched and forced to take cover from Tropical Storm Barry
The event was called off earlier than scheduled as diners were forced to deal with the torrential conditions by putting up umbrellas
A whopping 5,000 people were selected to attend out of 60,000 who applied to host and be hosted at the French-style gathering
The initial sprinkles were described as 'festive' but by 8pm gatherers had packed up and were already on their way out.
Pictures showed registered members of the event and their guests throwing on waterproofs and holding enormous umbrellas as torrential rains threatened to spoil the evening where roaming performers left people 'mesmerized' underneath the overcast sky.
Davis told DailyMail.com they had enjoyed a beautiful act from Broadway performers and Sicily-born Classical Crossover-singer Jonathan Cilia Faro but sadly the DJ was canceled and revelers missed the usual dance party to end the night. But some were filmed dancing in the streets on their way out.
It was after about '99 per cent' properly packed up their belongings and others asked for their items to be stored for collection another time.
In past years since DEB hit NYC in 2011, the party had continued until about 10.15pm with people only packing at about 9.40pm.
Davis said she and other organizers had regularly check the weather forecast in the days before the annual event but 'did not see an indication' the storm would be as bad as it was. Thankfully no one was hurt due to the storm but Davis noted the humidity actually caused one reveler to have an asthma attack on the way in but was fine after being given water and stayed to enjoy the event. EMS crews were in constant contact with organizers.
Thunder and lightning striking nearby buildings in Manhattan - but was called off at least 90 minutes earlier than scheduled to begin winding down due to noise rules in the area.
She said as soon as the first lightning strike occurred they decided to call it a night and local police closed off surrounding roads so the huge crowd could disperse using various exits with the help of their team leaders. An extra departure point was opened to assist the process.
This year, there were more than 60,000 people on the waiting list for an invitation to the New York edition, which is in its ninth year.
The original Diner En Blanc began in France 30 years ago and has evolved to include destinations around the world with the big day taking at least six months to plan including security permission for a venue.
Lucky attendees are not required to pay for a ticket but must contribute $30 to the local host who arranges transportation, security and insurance. There's also a $9 fee for the Diner En Blanc International network.
Not impressed: Attendees begin to evacuate as heavy rain falls at the 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc dining event in New York
Attendees evacuate as heavy rain falls at the 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc dining event in New York
Cops closed off some surrounding roads so people leaving the park in a hurry were able to cross safely with their trolleys
Revellers sheltering under scaffolding near the park as the rain came down on Wednesday evening during the famous dinner
Attendees evacuate with their fold-up chairs as heavy rain falls at the 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc dining event in New York
Guests dressed in white fled Battery after the annual Diner En Blanc event was called off because of the heavy showers
Plenty saw the humorous side of things as they packed up their belongings and were ushered out of the park in Manhattan
Earlier on Wednesday guests had lugged their own tables and chairs to a group meeting point announced shortly before the event, with no idea where they'd be tucking into white picnic-style food and bottles of bubbly for the Tattinger-sponsored gathering.
No beers or spirits are allowed at the posh dinner and guests are committed to attend, 'no matter the circumstance', the rules state.
Organizers warn: 'Each guests' presence is necessary and mandatory, regardless of the weather. In case of rain, guests must remember to bring a white or transparent raincoat, poncho and/or umbrella. However, if public safety becomes an issue due to severe weather (ex. thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornados…), the local Hosts may decide to cancel or postpone the event.'
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With it being one of the hottest days of summer so far, attendees seemed more concerned about coping with the sweltering temperatures than being soaked.
Davis continued to DailyMail.com that one couple was relieved by the change in weather not highlighting their perspiration. She noted that another guest joked about how risque the dress code was in light of the storm.
'To be frank, one described it as the ultimate wet t-shirt party which I found to be a humorous analogy,' David laughed.
Revelers fled from the pouring rain at the annual Diner En Blanc in Nelson Rockefeller Park in Manhattan. More than 5500 guests gathered for the yearly pop-up party, which was cancelled early due to heavy rain, thunder, and lightning
Drink up: There was only so much diners could do to stay put in their seats as they took cover under huge plastic sheets
Attendees attempt to cover themselves with plastic as heavy rain falls at the 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc which ended at 8pm
The event was 'shut down for safety and security purposes' but some people wanted to stay, an organizer told DailyMail.com
'One described it as the ultimate wet t-shirt party which I found to be a humorous analogy,' a co-organizer said
The first bolt of lightning signified the time to collapse picnic tables, finish drinks and bolt out of the area to make it to safety
Attendees began to evacuate Manhattan's Battery Park as heavy rain fell at the fancy 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc dining event
It rained over picnic packages guests had pre-ordered and were distributed by waiters at the park as they arrived
It was clear a storm was coming from earlier on in the evening as the skies turned dark near the Hudson River
Guests are seen having a leisurely time before they were told they didn't have to go home but had to get out of the park
Guests are also required to quickly decorate their tables with the likes of delicate lights and candles as they compete for the best-looking settings. But they had to pack up their belongings even quicker than the swift set up.
Attendees had been waiting all year long for the exclusive event that encourages extravagant outfits that ended up drenched by the end of the night.
Downpours associated in part with Barry hit the northeastern US due to a combination of a slight dip in the jet stream and leftover moisture causing flash flooding.
Invitees were hopeful the rain would stay away as they took photos while sipping bubbles at the Tattinger-sponsored bash
A co-organizer told DailyMail.com the sprinkle of rain was quite 'festive' to begin as groups gathered to enjoy flowing wine
A juggling entertainer on stilts tried to keep revelers happy despite a storm brewing and threatening to ruin annual festivities
Guests are also required to decorate their tables with the likes of delicate lights and candles as they compete for the best-looking settings
People seemed to be enjoying themselves as the rains temporarily stopped, allowing people to put away the waterproofs and umbrellas
It was still dry when the traditional napkin wave took place at 7pm but at some point between then and 8pm DEB was over
And there was only so much diners could do to stay put in their seats as they took cover under huge plastic sheets and umbrellas that were being blown away by strong gusts.
One onlooker who watched the chaos from a building above called it a 'mass exodus in the near constant thunder and lightening in the only neighborhood without a subway'.
Despite some complaints about the weather, many shared that they enjoyed the pop-up picnic nevertheless.
'Never thought I'd say running for your life in white formal attire through NYC with 5000 friends to evacuate your party in a storm with 40lbs of DIY picnic items would be a good time but there's always a first for everything,' Melissa Kessler tweeted.
Another guest tweeted: 'We literally couldn't stop laughing at how funny the whole situation was ... at least we looked good before the rain came.'
About 35 more Diner En Blanc events are due to take place this year.
Davis said she would definitely be sharing feed back with her associates in other DEB cities - including Boston, Charleston SC, and Washington DC - but noted with thousands attending in the Big Apple, compared to hundreds elsewhere, it's not possible to change venues at the last-minute or take the festivities indoors.
Describing the storm as an 'event within an event', Davis added that New Yorkers are known to be 'resilient, adaptable, and make the best of any situation' so they didn't have much to worry about.
Another spokesperson told DailyMail.com on Thursday: 'Diner en Blanc is a rain or shine event. Organizers always monitor weather forecasts in each city, and given the possibility of inclement weather in New York last night we recommended that our guests bring umbrellas and be prepared for some rain, which they did.
'Unfortunately, there were thunderstorms and lighting in the vicinity, and the event was shut down for safety and security purposes. Our guests packed up and left in an orderly fashion, and we look forward to hosting future editions of Diner en Blanc in NY.'
The white dinner started out hopeful and a guest is seen twirling in a light-up ensemble before the heavy downpours
Guests made a big effort to dress their best for the annual event that is organized in secret and extremely popular
The exclusive event was attended by more than 5,000 people, with over 60,000 in total applying for tickets in a fiercely competitive ballot
An attendee wears a white Lady Liberty-style headpiece (left) and another showed off a large white rose hat (right) at the 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc dining event in New York
Attendees had been waiting all year long for the exclusive event that encourages extravagant outfits
A woman attends Diner en Blanc at the Nelson Rockefeller Park in Battery City in New York on July 17, 2019. The legendary all-white secret pop-up, which location is revealed hours before the event, draws over 5,500 guests who dress in head-to-toe white attire for an under the stars dining experience
The event transportation NYC, which sees thousands of revelers don white outfits for an al fresco dining experience, takes place in a different location each year and was held in the city's famous Battery Park from 5.30pm.
But the 5,000-strong contingent of guests were forced to do battle with the elements as they stepped out to attend the glitzy dinner where invitees are told to conduct themselves with 'the greatest decorum, elegance, and etiquette' in order to be invited back.Thankfully, gatherers had already quaffed plenty of champagne, tucked into their home-made or pre-order hamper baskets and taken part in the famous 7pm napkin wave before the storm disturbed the festivities, co-organizer Linda Davis told DailyMail.com on Thursday.
A huge lightning bolt strikes a building in New Jersey across the Hudson River as guests at the exclusive event attempt to take cover
Revelers flee from the pouring rain at the annual Diner En Blanc in Nelson Rockefeller Park in the borough of Manhattan
Participants shelter from the rain during the annual Diner en Blanc on Wednesday evening. Guests were drenched and forced to take cover from Tropical Storm Barry
The event was called off earlier than scheduled as diners were forced to deal with the torrential conditions by putting up umbrellas
A whopping 5,000 people were selected to attend out of 60,000 who applied to host and be hosted at the French-style gathering
The initial sprinkles were described as 'festive' but by 8pm gatherers had packed up and were already on their way out.
Pictures showed registered members of the event and their guests throwing on waterproofs and holding enormous umbrellas as torrential rains threatened to spoil the evening where roaming performers left people 'mesmerized' underneath the overcast sky.
Davis told DailyMail.com they had enjoyed a beautiful act from Broadway performers and Sicily-born Classical Crossover-singer Jonathan Cilia Faro but sadly the DJ was canceled and revelers missed the usual dance party to end the night. But some were filmed dancing in the streets on their way out.
It was after about '99 per cent' properly packed up their belongings and others asked for their items to be stored for collection another time.
In past years since DEB hit NYC in 2011, the party had continued until about 10.15pm with people only packing at about 9.40pm.
Davis said she and other organizers had regularly check the weather forecast in the days before the annual event but 'did not see an indication' the storm would be as bad as it was. Thankfully no one was hurt due to the storm but Davis noted the humidity actually caused one reveler to have an asthma attack on the way in but was fine after being given water and stayed to enjoy the event. EMS crews were in constant contact with organizers.
Thunder and lightning striking nearby buildings in Manhattan - but was called off at least 90 minutes earlier than scheduled to begin winding down due to noise rules in the area.
She said as soon as the first lightning strike occurred they decided to call it a night and local police closed off surrounding roads so the huge crowd could disperse using various exits with the help of their team leaders. An extra departure point was opened to assist the process.
This year, there were more than 60,000 people on the waiting list for an invitation to the New York edition, which is in its ninth year.
The original Diner En Blanc began in France 30 years ago and has evolved to include destinations around the world with the big day taking at least six months to plan including security permission for a venue.
Lucky attendees are not required to pay for a ticket but must contribute $30 to the local host who arranges transportation, security and insurance. There's also a $9 fee for the Diner En Blanc International network.
Not impressed: Attendees begin to evacuate as heavy rain falls at the 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc dining event in New York
Attendees evacuate as heavy rain falls at the 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc dining event in New York
Cops closed off some surrounding roads so people leaving the park in a hurry were able to cross safely with their trolleys
Revellers sheltering under scaffolding near the park as the rain came down on Wednesday evening during the famous dinner
Attendees evacuate with their fold-up chairs as heavy rain falls at the 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc dining event in New York
Guests dressed in white fled Battery after the annual Diner En Blanc event was called off because of the heavy showers
Plenty saw the humorous side of things as they packed up their belongings and were ushered out of the park in Manhattan
Earlier on Wednesday guests had lugged their own tables and chairs to a group meeting point announced shortly before the event, with no idea where they'd be tucking into white picnic-style food and bottles of bubbly for the Tattinger-sponsored gathering.
No beers or spirits are allowed at the posh dinner and guests are committed to attend, 'no matter the circumstance', the rules state.
Organizers warn: 'Each guests' presence is necessary and mandatory, regardless of the weather. In case of rain, guests must remember to bring a white or transparent raincoat, poncho and/or umbrella. However, if public safety becomes an issue due to severe weather (ex. thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornados…), the local Hosts may decide to cancel or postpone the event.'
RELATED ARTICLES
Previous
1
2
Next
New York battered with heavy rain from Tropical Storm Barry,... 'Completely unacceptable': Theresa May issues transatlantic... Protester disrupts North Carolina rally waving pictures of...
Father of a man who 'killed his girlfriend, 17, in a jealous...
Share this article
Share
With it being one of the hottest days of summer so far, attendees seemed more concerned about coping with the sweltering temperatures than being soaked.
Davis continued to DailyMail.com that one couple was relieved by the change in weather not highlighting their perspiration. She noted that another guest joked about how risque the dress code was in light of the storm.
'To be frank, one described it as the ultimate wet t-shirt party which I found to be a humorous analogy,' David laughed.
Revelers fled from the pouring rain at the annual Diner En Blanc in Nelson Rockefeller Park in Manhattan. More than 5500 guests gathered for the yearly pop-up party, which was cancelled early due to heavy rain, thunder, and lightning
Drink up: There was only so much diners could do to stay put in their seats as they took cover under huge plastic sheets
Attendees attempt to cover themselves with plastic as heavy rain falls at the 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc which ended at 8pm
The event was 'shut down for safety and security purposes' but some people wanted to stay, an organizer told DailyMail.com
'One described it as the ultimate wet t-shirt party which I found to be a humorous analogy,' a co-organizer said
The first bolt of lightning signified the time to collapse picnic tables, finish drinks and bolt out of the area to make it to safety
Attendees began to evacuate Manhattan's Battery Park as heavy rain fell at the fancy 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc dining event
It rained over picnic packages guests had pre-ordered and were distributed by waiters at the park as they arrived
It was clear a storm was coming from earlier on in the evening as the skies turned dark near the Hudson River
Guests are seen having a leisurely time before they were told they didn't have to go home but had to get out of the park
Guests are also required to quickly decorate their tables with the likes of delicate lights and candles as they compete for the best-looking settings. But they had to pack up their belongings even quicker than the swift set up.
Attendees had been waiting all year long for the exclusive event that encourages extravagant outfits that ended up drenched by the end of the night.
Downpours associated in part with Barry hit the northeastern US due to a combination of a slight dip in the jet stream and leftover moisture causing flash flooding.
Invitees were hopeful the rain would stay away as they took photos while sipping bubbles at the Tattinger-sponsored bash
A co-organizer told DailyMail.com the sprinkle of rain was quite 'festive' to begin as groups gathered to enjoy flowing wine
A juggling entertainer on stilts tried to keep revelers happy despite a storm brewing and threatening to ruin annual festivities
Guests are also required to decorate their tables with the likes of delicate lights and candles as they compete for the best-looking settings
People seemed to be enjoying themselves as the rains temporarily stopped, allowing people to put away the waterproofs and umbrellas
It was still dry when the traditional napkin wave took place at 7pm but at some point between then and 8pm DEB was over
And there was only so much diners could do to stay put in their seats as they took cover under huge plastic sheets and umbrellas that were being blown away by strong gusts.
One onlooker who watched the chaos from a building above called it a 'mass exodus in the near constant thunder and lightening in the only neighborhood without a subway'.
Despite some complaints about the weather, many shared that they enjoyed the pop-up picnic nevertheless.
'Never thought I'd say running for your life in white formal attire through NYC with 5000 friends to evacuate your party in a storm with 40lbs of DIY picnic items would be a good time but there's always a first for everything,' Melissa Kessler tweeted.
Another guest tweeted: 'We literally couldn't stop laughing at how funny the whole situation was ... at least we looked good before the rain came.'
About 35 more Diner En Blanc events are due to take place this year.
Davis said she would definitely be sharing feed back with her associates in other DEB cities - including Boston, Charleston SC, and Washington DC - but noted with thousands attending in the Big Apple, compared to hundreds elsewhere, it's not possible to change venues at the last-minute or take the festivities indoors.
Describing the storm as an 'event within an event', Davis added that New Yorkers are known to be 'resilient, adaptable, and make the best of any situation' so they didn't have much to worry about.
Another spokesperson told DailyMail.com on Thursday: 'Diner en Blanc is a rain or shine event. Organizers always monitor weather forecasts in each city, and given the possibility of inclement weather in New York last night we recommended that our guests bring umbrellas and be prepared for some rain, which they did.
'Unfortunately, there were thunderstorms and lighting in the vicinity, and the event was shut down for safety and security purposes. Our guests packed up and left in an orderly fashion, and we look forward to hosting future editions of Diner en Blanc in NY.'
The white dinner started out hopeful and a guest is seen twirling in a light-up ensemble before the heavy downpours
Guests made a big effort to dress their best for the annual event that is organized in secret and extremely popular
The exclusive event was attended by more than 5,000 people, with over 60,000 in total applying for tickets in a fiercely competitive ballot
An attendee wears a white Lady Liberty-style headpiece (left) and another showed off a large white rose hat (right) at the 2019 NYC Diner en Blanc dining event in New York
Attendees had been waiting all year long for the exclusive event that encourages extravagant outfits
A woman attends Diner en Blanc at the Nelson Rockefeller Park in Battery City in New York on July 17, 2019. The legendary all-white secret pop-up, which location is revealed hours before the event, draws over 5,500 guests who dress in head-to-toe white attire for an under the stars dining experience
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