FARMINGTON – Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services will hold its first full-blown garden party since 2001. The party will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Titcomb Mountain Lodge in West Farmington to raise funds for rape crisis services in Franklin County.

The party will include a culinary competition, with local caterers vying for the People’s Choice Award for best hors d’oeuvres. Appetizers will be donated by area restaurants, caterers and individuals. Judges will include UMF President Theo Kalikow, state Rep. Tom Saviello and Franklin Journal food columnists Eileen Liddy, Roz Kerr and Marge Blonder.

Donations by local artists, craftpersons and businesses have arrived at the SAVES office for a silent auction, and books have been donated as well.

Baskets, handweaving, handblown glass, a chair, gift certificates for the services of a master gardener, for an overnight for two, for skiing and for golf are some of the featured items. Bidding will start at 4 and close at 7 p.m. Door prizes will be awarded.

Music will be provided by Uncle Lumpy’s Cabin, a group brought together for the special occasion by Farmington’s Mike Burd. The band will play familiar and new music.

SAVES board of directors will also take the opportunity to pay tribute to Janine Winn, who will step down in mid-July as executive director. Winn became director 21 years ago, when the agency had only one staff person and no office.

SAVES board Chairwoman Valerie Huebner said of Winn, “She has made a real difference in addressing sexual assault and abuse in our community.”

Tickets are $10 and are available at the Calico Patch and Mickey’s Hallmark. Ticket sales and auction proceeds will support services for victims and survivors of sexual assault.

The toll free, 24-hour rape crisis hotline number is 1-800-871-7741. SAVES is a United Way of the Tri-Valley Area nonprofit agency.