April 12 — For this night, no men allowed

Windmill Gardens in Sumner will be filled to the brim with women as they celebrate business’ ‘Girls Night Out'

Andrew Hosford / of The Herald

Women are getting their way at Windmill Gardens in Sumner on Friday, April 13.

For the third year in a row, the business is hosting “Girls Night Out,” an evening focused entirely on women.

“It’s a good time for women to come out and pamper themselves,” said Jamie Carroll, marketing director at the gardens.

This year, Carroll expects no fewer than 500 women to attend the event.

A red carpet will greet customers as they enter the Gardens and a live band and harpist will provide entertainment throughout the night.

“We do like going because men can’t go,” said Sally Thompson, an employee at Riverside Ford. “It feels like it is a night just for us.”

Thompson invites all the female employees at the car dealership where she works and each usually brings a friend.

She expects to buy 15 tickets to this year’s event.

Their reasons for going range from checking out the vendors and the products to having an excuse to take time with friends.

“It’s a fun time for us to get together,” Thompson said.

For the Gardens, the night represents the start of a busy sales season.

“It’s our official kick-off to spring,” Carroll said.

The staff has been planning the night for nine months and is looking forward to it finally happening.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “The ladies really enjoy it.”

More than 30,000 flowering bulbs are providing the background for the third annual “Girls Night Out.”

This year, Windmill Gardens is donating a portion of proceeds to the Good Samaritan Foundation and the Children’s Therapy Unit.

To donate, women can purchase a $10 potted tulip that comes with a prize ticket that can lead to more than 80 prizes.

Lavendar products, including soap and candles, Emerald Downs and Quinault Casino certificates and gift certificates to Northwest Trek, El Gaucho Steakhouse and The Old Cannery Warehouse are up for grabs.

To make donating a little more interesting, there will also be a cash booth, built like a telephone booth, that women step into and try to catch winning tickets that are being blown by fans.

“They know how to put on a good show,” Thompson said.

New this year is a martini luge. Shaped out of ice to resemble a tulip, the bartender mixes a martini then sends the drink down an ice trail that eventually leads to a lady’s glass.

Men are not totally forbidden, though, as 14 tuxedo wearing males volunteered to escort women around for the night.

“Its such a relaxing atmosphere,” Thompson added.