On June 28, the Spadina Museum will host one of the city’s most anticipated summer parties. The quiet heritage manor’s third annual Gatsby Garden Party, which saw under 1,000 people attend last year, had over 49,000 people RSVP to the event on Facebook. Now, the party’s organizers are grappling with how to manage the event, and residents are growing concerned.

“Every year it’s just been a show up at the gate [policy],” said the Spadina Museum’s administrator Karen Edwards. But this year not everyone on the guest list will be able to attend the 1920s-themed costume party and picnic. 

“We’re concerned about the quality of the event,” said Edwards. “If it’s too busy or too crowded, then no one is going to have a good time.” 

Although museum staff isn’t expecting all of the event’s virtual attendees to show up on the Sunday afternoon, precautions have still been put in place. Tickets will be sold online ahead of the event at $5 a pop, capped off at 1,600 guests, and private security will staff the gates. Funds earned will go toward the daily operations of the museum. 

News of the event came as a surprise to both Joanna Demone and Robert Levy, presidents of the Ardwold Gate Ratepayers Association and Casa Loma Residents Association respectively.

“There needs to be increased communication with the residents’ groups,” said Levy. 

Both Demone and Levy are concerned the event will be too disruptive for neighbouring residents. “[That many] people descending on a residential neighbourhood with limited parking is a challenge,” said Levy.

Built in 1866, the designated heritage property and museum might seem like an unlikely place for a party, but with the success of similar events at the ROM and AGO, it could be that staff has tapped into a growing trend.

While Levy said he hopes the event will not turn into more than a “once a year thing,” Edwards said staff members will assess how they might grow and develop it after this year.