Tickets on sale for Winterfest Gala
LISA CAPITELLI n Staff Writer
Billy and Madlyn Carder, left, chat with Joe Kendall during last year's Winterfest Gala at the Princess Royale on 91st Street. This year's celebration is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Nov. 13, 2009) Organizers of last year's Winterfest Gala received loads of positive feedback regarding the annual event's new venue, the Princess Royale Hotel on 91st Street.
Formerly held at Seacrets on 49th Street, the gala was moved to the uptown location last year. Guests clearly supported the change, as many commented by way of an online survey following the event.
"People thought it was very elegant," said Nancy Dofflemyer, a member of the Winterfest Gala Committee, referring to comments submitted online at www.winterfestgala.com.
Some changes have been made and upgrades have been added to make the 2009 gala, scheduled for Nov. 20, at 8 p.m., even better than last year, Dofflemyer said. The black tieoptional event will feature the cuisine of 25 restaurants stationed throughout the hotel courtesy of the Delmarva Chefs & Cooks Association. The UMES Jazz Orchestra, The Quake and Sonny Sings Sinatra will provide the musical entertainment again this year. Since the dance floor was a popular place to be last year, the space has been doubled so more guests can get down and boogie at the 15th annual gala.
Deanna Bogart has been added to the entertainment lineup. Rick Dempsey, who was a catcher for several baseball teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, and World Series MVP, will perform with Bogart. They recently released a CD titled "Home Run Holiday" and will debut it at the event. The CD will be available for purchase. The pair will also sign copies for guests.
In addition to the music and food, there will be an array of desserts, including a chocolate fountain, large silent auction, tarot card readers and a champagne fountain. Guests will also receive a complimentary holiday photograph as a keepsake. This year, a Winterfest Gala souvenir keychain will be included with the photograph.
Want to win a half-carat diamond? Park Place Jewelers has again donated the jewel, which will be in one of 100 champagne glasses. The others will contain a cubic zirconium. Glasses can be purchased for $25 each. A setting for the diamond has also been donated.
Last year, approximately 340 people attended the gala, Dofflemyer said, and organizers anticipate the same number of guests this year. As of earlier this week, more than 100 tickets had been sold.
"People can walk around to the different rooms and see the Who's Who of Ocean City, local business owners, restaurant owners and old friends," Dofflemyer said. "Everyone gets all dressed up, from head to toe. Everyone looks so great."
Tickets cost $100 each and entitle the holder to dancing, entertainment, an open bar from 8 p.m. to midnight (cash bar from midnight to 1 a.m.) and a variety of food. Tickets are available online at www.winterfestgala.com, at the Ocean City convention center on 40th Street, Ocean City Heath & Racquet Club on 61st Street or by calling Liz Steedman at 410- 251-6690. To purchase by mail, make checks payable to "Winterfest Gala" and mail to Winterfest Gala, P.O. Box 1888, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811. Tickets will be available at the hotel on Nov. 18 and 19, and on the night of the gala.
Each year, proceeds benefit Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park. Last year, the gala committee contributed the huge Winterfest display, "The Emerald City." It includes Dorothy, Toto, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Munchkins.
"It's a great event to support the community and Winterfest of Lights," Dofflemyer said of the gala.
A percentage of gala ticket sales each year is donated to the Delmarva Chefs & Cooks Association for a scholarship the group awards to a student.
For information, visit www.winterfestgala. com. Hotel rooms are also available by calling the Princess Royale at 410-524-7777.
