March 14, 2017

Meet Sara Brumfield of Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Druid Hills

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Brumfield.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Sara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started in the restaurant industry about 13 years ago. I worked every job from back of the house to the front of the house. Along the way, I found that I loved working larger events and helping customize bar packages. When the Events and Beverage Manager Opportunity arose at Fernbank, I knew it was the job for me. Creating, planning and implementing Fernbank After Dark into the Museum’s programming called upon all the knowledge and experience I‘ve acquired from my years in the service industry, but also inspired me to look at a science in a new way – one that would engage adults and offer an escape from the monotony of a routine night out.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Creating a brand-new, recurring event on such a large scale was a challenge, but it was one I was excited to conquer. Each event has its own set of struggles – whether it be developing crowd-pleasing activities or coming up with an engaging theme – but with the support of my special events staff and the rest of the crew at Fernbank, I’ve been able to make my vision for Fernbank After Dark a reality. We’re expecting a sell-out crowd for our first event.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Fernbank Museum has always offered something for everyone, but it often gets the reputation of being a place mostly for families and children. Upon my arrival at Fernbank, I was given the task of creating a new public event that would attract a young professional audience. I was so excited to introduce a new audience to a different side of Fernbank – a side with interesting and unusual science just for adults, delicious cocktails and bites, films, and (if only for a few hours) an adults-only atmosphere.

After a lot of research and brainstorming, I crafted the idea for Fernbank After Dark and began working with local groups, artists, and businesses that could help elevate the event. My main focus for Fernbank After Dark was to give guests a unique experience where they could not only grab a drink with their friends, but also learn about topics they may not otherwise know about. I’m very proud to offer this experience to our guests, especially because there’s nothing like it in Atlanta.

Pricing:

Fernbank After Dark (FAD) general admission tickets include access to all Museum exhibits and hands-on science activities. Add a Giant Screen Theater film to your ticket for just $5 more.
o FAD-only: $10 members/ $15 non-members
o FAD + film: $15 members/ $20 non-members

Contact Info: