Boarding Pass to 1958~ The Fantasy Table Event Reveal

Welcome to Part 2 of the 1958 Pan Am Fantasy Table Event post. If you missed Part one, you can see all the inspiration, a decision on a theme, researching travel in 1958, creation of the invitation and many more pre-event details here.

Let’s continue with Part 2 where we reveal all the details of the evening’s event.

Setting up the Table

Although I always try to do a mock setup in my dining room in Phoenix, everything changes once we arrive at the clubhouse dining room. What works perfectly at home doesn’t always translate to the actual event space, so there’s always a bit of last minute problem-solving and improvisation.

The day before the event, Scott and I visited the room to develop a game plan. Because the airplanes and clouds will be suspended above the table, we need a way to support them without distracting from the display. Our solution involves a very tall ladder, a length of rope and a bit of trust. The next day we are allowed to start decorating a few hours before the event so the process needs to be seamless.

Scott secures the rope between the two ceiling beams above the table and then we attach clear fishing lines at varying intervals. This allows us to hang the airplanes and clouds at different heights, creating the illusion of aircraft taking off. It may not have looked particularly elegant during installation, but once everything was in place, the fishing line virtually disappears.

With the aerial display completed, it was finally time to dress the table. White linens covered the 36″ x 108″ table, creating a clean backdrop for the Pan Am theme.

Next the black felt runway is rolled down the center. Thankfully, all the measuring and planning paid off. The runway fits perfectly while leaving enough room for the place settings, glassware, and decorative touches that will complete our first-class dining experience.

What was probably the most time consuming was filling each bud vase! However, it is very rewarding when a vision finally comes together.

Looking the Part

Of course, no Pan American Airways experience would be complete without the proper attire. Fortunately, there is a surprising amount of information online about the evolution of stewardess uniforms over the years. I learned that Tunis blue was the official color of Pan Am’s uniforms in 1958, which immediately sent me down another research rabbit hole.

My first discovery was a Pan Am stewardess costume from The Costumer. The online photos left something to be desired-the color looked questionable and appeared much more costume-y and shorter than I was aiming for. It did include several useful accessories: a Pan Am hat, wings, and a logo purse. The only problem was that the available sizes were Large and X-Large, neither of which was remotely close to my size. Nevertheless, I ordered it, figuring that if nothing else, I could salvage the accessories.

Meanwhile, I began exploring another option. I found vintage sewing patterns for a fitted jacket and pencil skirt, purchased fabric in the proper shade of Tunis blue, and briefly convinced myself that I could sew my own uniform.

Now let me be clear-I am not a seamstress. But as with many of my projects, I find myself asking, “How hard can it be?” These words have launched more than a few adventures around here.

Fortunately, when the costume finally arrived, it exceeded my expectations. The color was much closer to the authentic Pan Am blue, and the uniform was far less theatrical than I had feared. The downside? Both the hat and the uniform were enormous. Undeterred, I channeled my 7th grade Home Economics skills (which are very few). Out came the zipper, took in what felt like yards of fabric, replaced the zipper and attempted to tailor the uniform to something resembling my size. The hat was also challenging but after deconstructing it, I was able to make it a more reasonable size.

As a side note, my sweet husband deserves special recognition for assisting with the fitting process. Having grown up without sisters, he had very little experience pinning a dress with someone wearing it. Nevertheless, he approached the task with limited enthusiasm and did a remarkably respectable job. As a results. we managed to transform an oversized costume and hat into a surprisingly authentic-looking stewardess uniform.

By the end, I had a renewed appreciation for seamstresses everywhere. And I was thankful I didn’t have to make it from scratch.

Scott found his captain’s jacket online. The authentic hat came from a local Army/Navy store.

Creating a Themed Vignette

I always like to include a special area near the table where guests can take photographs. For this year’s Pan Am experience, I wanted something that would evoke the excitement of arriving at an airport. After a bit of searching, I found a vendor on Etsy (Gregory from ComfyCrazeApparel) who created a vintage-inspired flight arrival board featuring a collection of exotic destinations around the world.

Positioned on a nearby chair and surrounded by a stack of vintage suitcases, and an authentic Pan Am travel bag (thanks to my dear friend, Chloe), our guests posed for photographs before “boarding” their flight. The vignette required very little space, but added another layer to the evening’s experience.

The Finished Table

I can honestly say that I was very pleased on how the table came together. Each place setting reflected the elegance of first-class dining on a Pan Am flight. The small bud vases were filled with small roses, baby’s breath and greenery, adding just a bit of color. As a special favor, I found miniature vintage suitcases, complete with travel tags, and tucked two of my favorite See’s chocolates in each one.

After we sat down to dinner, one of my favorite moments was watching everyone interact with the centerpiece. From flying the model planes on the runway to playing with the aircraft taking off over the table, we all enjoyed the “toys”. The restaurant’s air conditioning helped move the planes and clouds throughout the evening, adding motion to the scene.

Finally, at last, I could take a deep breath, sit back and truly enjoy the festivities.

Guests Arriving in Costume

One of the things I love most about Fantasy Tables is that our friends wholeheartedly embrace the theme each year. No matter what crazy idea I dream up, they always seem willingly to come along for the ride.

Our flight crew had expanded considerably. Joining us were two additional stewardesses, another pilot, and three glamorous passengers who looked like they came out of the 1950s. Every costume added another layer of authenticity to the evening.

Most importantly, it reminded me how fortunate we are to have such wonderful friends who are good sports to play along with our latest adventure.

Favorite Moments of the Evening

The food was certainly delicious and our server Angela was professional and accommodating. It was so nice to have an evening of merrymaking. In addition we had the opportunity to chat with scholarship recipients and hear stories of their education and future plans.

One of the most unexpected-and heartwarming-parts of the evening had nothing to do with the decorations. Throughout the event, people stopped by our table to share their own Pan Am memories. I hadn’t anticipated how deeply this theme would resonate, but it was wonderful to hear stories from another era.

Several guests told us their fathers had been Pan Am pilots. Others reminisced about memorable trips aboard the iconic airline. Hearing first hand recollections made the theme feel even more meaningful.

Nearly everyone commented on how different flying was back then. They remembered dressing up for flights, civilized service, elegant meals, and the excitement of travel itself. So very different from airline travel today with hurried service, passengers in pajama pants, and airline personnel who seem as weary as the travelers.

The entire evening was a walk down memory lane-a chance to revisit a time when air travel was considered glamorous and gracious.

Still awaiting official fundraising amounts, but it appears Judith King and her team exceeded the $100,000 mark. Bravo!

My friend, Tevia always takes the best videos and she posted this one on Instagram. It’s without the audio “Come Fly with Me” by Frank Sinatra, but you get the gist!

I hope you enjoyed flying along with us for our Fantasy Table Adventure this year. My brain needs a creative break before the wheels start spinning for the 2027 theme!