The tent at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton was alive with energy on Thursday, September 18, as about 100 Blue Hills supporters gathered for the 2025 Annual Celebration of the Blue Hills. It was an evening full of laughter, music, great food — and record-breaking generosity.
Together, our community raised $24,000 to protect and care for the Blue Hills — the most ever raised at this event!
Guests mingled under twinkling lights while DJ Cubey kept the good vibes going. The photo booth captured plenty of joyful, silly moments, and Braintree’s Anthony Columbus Catering served up a delicious buffet with passed appetizers that perfectly matched the festive mood. The grand finale? A stunning custom cake from Fratelli’s Pastry Shop in Quincy — it was almost too beautiful to eat (almost).
Take a look at the photo gallery below, showcasing some highlights from the evening.
🏞️ Celebrating the Park, Supporting the Mission
Every dollar raised at the Annual Celebration helps Friends of the Blue Hills keep the park healthy and welcoming for everyone. From repairing eroded trails and removing invasive plants to hosting educational programs and volunteer cleanups, your support makes sure this special landscape thrives for generations to come.
🎨 Bidding for the Blue Hills
Guests showed their love for the park in the online and in-person auctions, featuring more than 50 unique, locally inspired items. The most talked-about pieces included a hand-painted Adirondack chair and a Blue Hills watercolor by Milton artist — and former DCR director — Karl Pastore. Thanks to all who bid, competed, and celebrated your winnings (and to everyone who stopped by the Canton office to pick them up)!
🙌 Volunteers Make It Happen
Events like this are powered by the passion and commitment of our volunteers. From the planning committee to the check-in team and clean-up crew, every hand helped make the night run smoothly. A special shoutout goes to committee member Stacey Kirves, who personally ran the 50/50 raffle and raised $232 for the park!
💙 Thanks to Our Sponsors
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to long-time partners Sunrise Erectors, Quincy Auto Auction, and all our sponsors for their generous support. Their partnership helps turn this joyful evening into real impact for the trails, wildlife, and people who love the Blue Hills.
🍽️ Dream Dinner Raffle Winners
As always, the Dream Dinner Raffle brought excitement to the night! Congratulations to:
- Andrew K., winner of a beautiful bouquet from Flowers by Ami in Canton
- Deidre N., winner of a private guided hike for six with Friends of the Blue Hills
- Cathy S., winner of a dream dinner for six, catered by Northern Spy in Canton and hosted at the Blue Hill Observatory
🌅 What’s Next?
As the sun set over the Irish Cultural Center, guests lingered, sharing stories and making plans for their next Blue Hills adventure. There was even a bit of line dancing by the board and staff! It was a night that proved once again what we’ve seen before: when people who love the Blue Hills come together, great things happen — for the trails, the community, and the park we all cherish.
If you missed this year’s event, don’t worry — there are plenty of ways to join the fun all winter long! Check out our upcoming hikes, volunteer days, and programs on our online calendar, and we’ll see you at our next event!