As the sun begins to set, jazz music rises from the patio while plant enthusiasts scour the greenhouses for their latest landscaping addition.

Callaway Fields is hosting their annual Twilight Garden party this Thursday and Friday. The garden party has been their way of saying goodbye to summer for 17 years now. 

John Graham, owner of Callaway Fields invites the community to join him for two nights of Jazz music, food trucks and, of course, shopping. Everything is marked down 30% but to Graham, it’s more than just a sale; it’s about showing support to the community that supports his business. 

“We donate to a lot of organizations in Mexico.” says Graham. “We try to do as much as we can because these are the people supporting us.”

Before making their way to Mexico, Callaway Fields was based in Auxvasse where the garden parties started. Volunteer Kevin Alferman has been attending the garden parties since they began.

“You get to mingle with all of the customers, and you get great food, music, drinks… It’s a great atmosphere.” says Alferman.

This event is not just for plant lovers. Anyone looking for something to do or somewhere to be is welcome at the Twilight Garden Party.

“It is a comradery. Just hanging with your friends and something to do in Mexico.” says Chris Sells. Sells has been working at Callaway Fields since they moved to Mexico.

Thursday night’s entertainment was provided by Liberty Jazz, a pro band with a Missouri Arts Council Touring Artist endorsement. David Reetz has been with Liberty Jazz since it started in 2010 and has been a part of the Twilight Garden Party for four years.

“It was mostly Mexico people when we started.” remembers Reetz. “Over the years, people moved on and so everybody in the band but me is from out of town.”

Friday’s entertainment will be Reetz’s new community band made up entirely of Mexico residents, The Brass Brothers. 

“I am so looking forward to this. Two nights of jazz; right here.” says Reetz.

In addition to entertainment, Trynetty’s food truck will be serving up smash burgers, hot dogs and hand spun milkshakes through Friday night. And since there’s something for everybody at the garden party, Bucky’s Sit or Get’s food truck will also be there, offering just about anything from fish tacos to fried pickles.

In the barn, Pig Up & Go is running the bar serving up beer, wine and seltzer.

Thursday evening winds down with party-goers settling into lawn chairs on the patio, or at tables just inside the barn, to bask in the music and enjoy their food at Callaway Fields’ annual Twilight Garden Party.