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Check out these uplifting photos from last night's epic Diner en Blanc

Josh Middleton
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Josh Middleton
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Last night, around 7pm, Dîner en Blanc organizers revealed the location for their 2017 gathering: Franklin Square.

Soon after, streams of folks dressed head to toe in white began flooding into the historic park and setting up their tables and chairs for one of the year’s poshest dinner soirees.

Organizer Natanya DiBona says Franklin Square was one of three possible locations for this year’s event. They finally decided to go with it to provide guests a location with fun, interactive elements—the carousel, mini golf and unlimited selfie potential around the fountain in the center of the park—so that they could, at least for a while, forget about all the tragic news happening around the world.

“The theme this year was based around celebrating your inner child in this urban playtime oasis,” she says. “It was the perfect way to celebrate public space and dinner as an art form, but also give guests a chance to escape for the night from everyday life.”

And escape they did. After dinner, guests took advantage of all the park's attractions—riding on the carousel and dancing to live music. There were also performances by area arts groups, like Philly Jump Girls, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts and MadBeatz.

With 5,300 attendees, this Dîner en Blanc broke the record for being the largest one ever held in the United States. Check out some photos of the night below:

diner en blanc philadelphia

Photograph: Courtesy HughE Dillon

Guests line up next to the Constitution Center, waiting to enter Franklin Square.

diner en blanc philadelphia

Photograph: Courtesy Du Soleil Photographie

They came bearing all their own dinner supplies—tables, chairs, silverware, china—and dazzling smiles!

diner en blanc philadelphia

Photograph: Courtesy Du Soleil Photographie

Some lucky guests had tables set up around the fountain in the center of the park. Wonder if they got splashed?!

diner en blanc philadelphia

Photograph: Courtesy Du Soleil Photographie

Cheers!

diner en blanc philadelphia

Photograph: Courtesy Georgi Anastasov

The dinner party spread from the fountain on out into Franklin Square’s green space and even to the surrounding sidewalk where folks were shaded by the trees.

diner en blanc philadelphia

Photograph: Courtesy HughE Dillon

Well, somebody brought their fashion game! How do you like this light-up corset?

diner en blanc philadelphia

Photograph: Courtesy Du Soleil Photographie

These ladies brought an elaborate candelabra for their table—not to mention that awesome headpiece. Your move, everybody else.

diner en blanc philadelphia

Photograph: Courtesy Kory Aversa

Traditionally, sparklers signify the end of the meal and the start of the dance party.

diner en blanc philadelphia

Photograph: Courtesy Du Soleil Photographie

Guests couldn't get enough of that carousel.

diner en blanc philadelphia

Photograph: Courtesy Plate 3 Photography

Philly Jump Girls perform with glowing jump ropes at the end of the night.

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