BOCA RATON — Tired of the slow, hot, summer months? Are you under the impression that there is nothing going on in Boca Raton during August? Then you’ve never heard of Boca Festival Days!
During the recession of 1980, Boca Festival Days was created by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce with the intent to help boost business during what was traditionally Boca Raton’s “slow” month of August.
Boca Raton Council member Constance Scott with Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel and Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie at 2009 Wine & All That Jazz event.
Boca Festival Days is the result of local business leaders and representatives from area non-profit agencies, companies, and media working together to plan and promote events at many different locations in the greater Boca Raton area running throughout the month of August.
The 2010 chair is John Schneyer of Boca Consultants and the co-chair is Debbi Lawlor, a local non-profit professional.
Events begin this weekend. Activities planned for the two weeks are listed below.
August 2, 5-7 p.m.
Shopping Spree benefiting Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service
Sponsored By Comerica
Location: Kosher Marketplace (The Palms Plaza, 2191 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, FL 33433)
Teams of 2-5 people will have two hours to purchase as much food for the least amount of money possible. All purchased food will be donated to the food pantry. Contact Beth Levine at 561-852-3334 or bethl@rrjfs.org.
August 3, 6-9 p.m., Night for Small Pints, benefiting Kids in Distress
Sponsored By MDG Advertising
Location: Dubliner (435 Plaza Real, Mizner Park, Boca Raton, FL 33432)
Please join us for a fun-filled evening of entertainment and fundraising at Dubliner in Mizner Park. Guests will enjoy the live music of Taylor Road. Cost is $25 per person, which includes two drinks and appetizers. The proceeds will go to Kids in Distress. Contact 561.620.2540 for more information.
August 5, 6-8 p.m., opening Reception for Art Show benefiting Artist’s Guild of Boca Raton Museum
Sponsored By Wyndham Boca Raton
(Art Show to run Aug. 1-15th at Wyndham)
Location: The Wyndham Garden Hotel (1950 Glades Road Boca Raton, FL)
Contact (561) 368-5200 or the Event Chairperson Glenn Heino (561) 866-9670 or email at webadmin@bocaguild.com.
August 6, noon-2 p.m., Informative Luncheon benefiting and sponsored by Caron Renaissance
Location: Caron Renaissance (7789 N.W. Beacon Square Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33487)
Featuring guest speaker Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Best-selling author, activist and advocate for addiction recovery. Caron Renaissance is part of the Caron Treatment Centers network – a nationally recognized non-profit drug and alcohol treatment networks in the country. Based in Boca Raton, Caron Renaissance is celebrating more than 20 years of on-site family programs and pioneering new advances in the field of addiction treatment. Tours of the facility and residences will be available from 3-4 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, contact Jacquelyn Sherry at 561.241.7977, ext. 1777 or jsherry@renaissanceinstitute.net.
Kids show off their artwork at the 2009 Boca Raton Museum of Art’s Meet a Master event
August 7, 6-8 p.m., An Enchanted Evening benefiting Children’s Museum of Boca Raton
Sponsored By The Heritage Group / The House of Tia Crystal
Location: Children’s Museum (498 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432)
“Meet at The Children’s Museum to travel in the vintage style Molly Trolley for an art inspired journey of storytelling, lite-fare, and music with a magical ending at the House of Tia Crystal.” Reservations are required for limited seating. $35 p/p. CONTACT: Sandy Manning at 561-368-6875/ SANDY@CMBOCA.ORG WWW.CMBOCA.ORG
August 8, noon-6 p.m., Donating the Clothes Off our Backs for Women in Distress!, benefiting Women in Distress
Sponsored By Oceans 234
Location: Oceans 234 (234 North Ocean Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441)
This is Oceans234 annual clothing drive to benefit Women In Distress. $15 includes buffet and raffle ticket for a chance to win a Stay-cation on “The Island”! All proceeds to benefit Women in Distress. Live entertainment, promotions and giveaways! Contact 954-428-2539.
August 10, 6-8 p.m., AVDA’s 5K Kick-Off Party benefiting AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence, Inc.)
Sponsored By Maui Spa & Wellness Center in Boca Raton
Location: Maui Spa & Wellness Center in Boca Raton (2100 N.W. Boca Raton Boulevard)
During the kick-off party, race highlights will be announced and registration for the 5K will be officially opened. Additional volunteer opportunities will also be available to assist with the 5K on race day. Maui Spa & Wellness Center has partnered with AVDA to provide a special happy hour which will include drinks, appetizers and raffle prizes for $20 per person. Seating is limited so sign up early by calling Riunite Carter at 561-265-3797 (ext 118).
August 11, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Relax to the Max! benefiting Hospice of Palm Beach County.
Sponsored By Max’s Grille at Mizner Park (404 Plaza Real, Mizner Park)
Location: Max’s Grille at Mizner Park (404 Plaza Real, Mizner Park)
$25 per person entitles you to 2 free drinks and hors d’oeuvres
Higher donation of $100 receives a $20 Gift Card, $500 receives a $50 Gift Card, $1,000 receives a $100 Gift Card. RSVP to Mary Coleman, (561) 988-2742 or mcoleman@hpbcf.org
From left are Bonnie Kaye, John Mulhall and Shanna St. John at the 2009 Wine & All That Jazz event.
August 12, 6-8:30 p.m., Mission Possible, benefiting Chris Evert Charities
Sponsored By NuBarter
Location: Town Center at Boca Raton (6000 Glades Rd #100, Boca Raton, FL 33431)
Teams of “super agents” will solve a mystery while gathering top-secret information or objects from participating stores throughout the Mall. Teams of four are encouraged, individuals are welcome. Cost: $35 per person or $125 for a team of four. Unless sold out, the on-site registration fee is $40 per person or $150 for a four-person team Event includes appetizers, drinks, awards for the winning teams and raffle prizes. Non-detectives may purchase tickets for the lively post-hunt party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information call: 561-394-2400 or visit www.chrisevert.org
August 13, 7 to 9 p.m., Cocktails for a Cause benefiting Benefitting Best Foot Forward
Sponsored By Morton’s The Steakhouse
Location: Morton’s the Steakhouse (5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 219, Boca Raton, FL 33486)
Join Morton’s, former NFL player and color commentator Lamar Thomas, and Boca Raton Community member guest bartenders Forrest Heathcott, Frank Barbieri, Troy McLellan, Steve Tebon, during Boca Festival Days! They will be personally shaking and serving up an evening of cocktails to benefit the Best Foot Forward Foundation (www.bestfoot.org). For more information, contact Gina Campbell at 561-392-7724 or gina_campbell@mortons.com.
August 14 & 28, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Guided Tour of the Historic Boca Raton Resort & Club, benefiting Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum
Location: Boca Raton Resort & Club (501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432)
August 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Back to School Bash benefiting Spirit of Giving Network
Sponsored By Continental Group
Location: Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club (1451 SW Seventh St., Delray Beach, FL, 33444)
Contact (561) 385-0144
August 14, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Dancing in the Sky, benefiting Shopping for Soldiers, sponsored By Boca Raton Bridge Hotel
Location: Carmen’s at the Top of the Boca Bridge Hotel (999 E Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432)
The famous Bulldogs begin at 7 p.m. along with Chefs Tables for your dining experience provided by local top restaurants. Tickets are $25 dollars and please purchase in advance so you will not have to stand in line. RSVP to: Neal 561-860-3173 or email sfsneeds@gmail.com