Members of the Friends of the Wissohickon's 90th anniversary gala committee prepare for the event (from left) back row: Martha Kennedy, Anne Standish, Shirley Gracie, Christopher Bentley , Ruffian Tittmann, Aime Cafiero and Janet Lippincott. Front row: Maura McCarthy, Emily Daeschler, Christine Bamberger, Sarah Sanz and Ellen Hass.

Friends of the Wissahickon’s signature 90th anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 at its fall gala at the Valley Green Inn.

Christine Bamberger and Christopher Bentley are co-chairs of the 90th anniversary gala. The two Mt. Airy residents have been working along with a 45-member gala committee over the last months to ensure that October’s event is a success.

With many updates made to the Valley Green Inn in time for the event, Bamberger said the inn will look fabulous for the party.

“The inn has so many memories for so many people,” she said. “We feel proud to be able to bring it up to date and give it the feeling it deserves.”

The gala’s theme, “Cabinet of Curiosities,” is designed to mirror the many natural offerings in the Wissahickon. The gala dinner will be designed by Aimee Olexy of Talula’s Table and Garden, and guests will dance under the stars to the sounds of the timeless Scott Romig Orchestra.

Local designers Ann Kelly, Jane Good and Rebecca Paul have donated their design services to help with renovations at the inn, flowers for the gala will be designed by Bibby Crane Loring, and styling will be done by Terrain. The event will be a tribute to FOW’s 90 years of stewardship of the Wissahickon.

For those interested in helping with the maintenance and renovation of the Valley Green Inn, FOW is sponsoring a registry at www.fow.org, where people can make donations to buy a sconce, or a tile or other items to help with specific renovations of the inn.

A number of sponsors have demonstrated their support of FOW’s 90th anniversary events. Valley Green Bank is the presenting sponsor of the gala event with additional support from the environmental engineering and consulting firm Skelly and Loy.

Sponsors also include McFarland Tree and Landscape Services, BestNest, Mike Hickey/State Farm Insurance, Stratton Management Company, Kim Whetzel/Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Cedar's House, Elfant Wissahickon, Ryan Painting, C.E. Hopkins Roofing, Weavers Way Co-op, Larry Weaner Landscape, Wissahickon Tree and Landscape, Indigo Schuy, David Brothers, PHLY insurance and Penn Distributors.

In-kind support of the Valley Green Inn restoration has been provided by Riccardi Brothers Old City Paint, Inc., John Duffy of Stable Tables, Daniel Fleck Carpentry and Dal-Tile.

FOW has been the steward of historic Valley Green Inn since 1934, maintaining the historic building and generating revenue to maintain the inn, its surroundings and the Wissahickon Valley Park.

Built in 1850, Valley Green Inn is the last remaining example of the many roadhouses and taverns that served the carriage trade along the Wissahickon Creek in the 19th century. For more information and to purchase tickets for the gala, go to: www.fow.org/90thcelebration.

FOW is celebrating its 90th anniversary throughout 2014. Founded in 1924, FOW is a 1,600-member nonprofit organization and works in partnership with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department to restore historical park structures, eliminate invasive plant species, monitor watershed management issues, and restore trails throughout the Wissahickon Park.  Join FOW as we celebrate our 90th anniversary.

Follow FOW on Facebook and Twitter. For more information or to become a member, visit www.fow.org.