Text by Hannah Yakobi.

Photos by Kalynn Friesen.

The Earth Day Canada Gala is one of those events that is for a good cause but is also perfect for celebrity spotting. The gala is held during the first week of June every year in support of Earth Day Canada, a national environmental charity founded in 1990 that fosters and celebrates environmental respect, action and behaviour change that lessens our impact on the earth.

The eight annual gala took place on Wednesday at The Drake Hotel, and the VIP guest and speaker list was truly remarkable.

Mark McKinney, executive producer of HBO’s Less Than Kind, had returned as gala’s producer; the renowned comedian Seán Cullen was the Master of Ceremonies; Jean David, president and owner of An Idea Whose Time Has Come Inc. and former vice-president of marketing for Cirque du Soleil, was one of the speakers; Michael Stadtländer, one of the most accomplished and respected chefs in the world, created a sumptuous menu for the guests; and, of course, there were The Sadies, 2010 nominee for the CBC’s Radio 3 Best Live Act Bucky Award, who entertained the audience at the event’s finale.

The gala kicked off with a VIP reception in Sky Yard, followed by canapés and a buffet dinner. The night was punctuated with Seán Cullen’s unbelievably hilarious jokes, which ranged from poking fun at the Drake’s mural with deer and dogs, to picking on the “very handsome bartender” and EDC president Jed Goldberg. Some guests laughed so hard, their eyes got teary.

Organizers said that close to 500 people attended the event this year.

The Outstanding Commitment to the Environment and Hometown Heroes Awards were also presented at the gala. These awards recognized the vital work in Canada and personal environmental achievement in support of a healthier environment.

For a full list of award winners, please go to http://www.earthday.ca/hometown/winners.php

“The gala is a great opportunity for networking,” said Keith Treffry, director of communications at Earth Day Canada.

“We have a strong contingent of people coming here – most are decision-makers and come from all sectors: banking, law, the arts, the beer industry. It’s like neighbours getting together and having fun!”

Best Dressed Photo Gallery

The clothing choices at the event were quite diverse. Many ladies opted for neutral-coloured or flower-themed dresses, and bright stiletto shoes were definitely a big hit as well. Chiffon and silk were the most popular choices, in terms of fabric. Almost all gentelmen went for straight-cut suits and blazers.

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