Decades party: Wicked Dolphin to host benefit for Gulf Coast Humane Society
The Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery is again hosting its Decades Party to benefit the Gulf Coast Humane Society’s planned shelter for Cape Coral.
Wicked Dolphin’s Decades Party: 1940’s, “Hollywood’s Golden Era Meets the USO,” will take place Feb. 27 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the distillery. The era-themed evening will feature costumes, casino games, live music, contests, a silent auction and one-carat diamond drop, speciality drinks and more.
All of the proceeds will go toward the shelter, which is estimated to cost $3 million.
“We are all huge animal supporters,” Courtney Piggott, a spokeswoman for the distillery, said.
She explained that JoAnn Elardo, the owner of Wicked Dolphin, is on the board for the Gulf Coast Humane Society and was a driving force behind getting the animal shelter built within the city.
“With a town our size, we don’t have one,” Piggott said.
The new shelter will have the ability to rescue approximately 1,000 animals per year.
“Cape Coral is so large, it really needs its own shelter,” she said.
Last year, the distillery hosted its first Decades Party to benefit the shelter.
“We had over 300 people,” Piggott said. “Our goal this year is to raise over $30,000.”
The inaugural event was themed as the “Speakeasy: A Prohibition Party.”
“Everybody was head-to-toe in 1920s attire,” she said, noting that this year it is the 1940s. “We wanted to keep it in subsequent years with the ’20s – there were tons of classic movies and Hollywood stars.”
Attendees are encouraged to dress in wartime-era fashion or uniform or as an actor or character.
“It’s really just a fun costume party for a really good cause,” Piggott said.
The tickets cost $100 and include admission, $500 in play gambling money, hors d’oeuvres, dessert, valet parking and a cash bar. The emcees for the evening are ABC-7 anchor Krista Fogelsong and Ted Fitzgeorge, a Red Sox Spring Training announcer. The Southwest Florida Big Band will be on stage.
“We have a 17-piece live band that will be performing,” she said.
The tables will feature roulette, blackjack, poker and craps.
“The person at the end of the night who has won the most money will win a prize,” Piggott said.
Attendees can also take part in the best costume contests for a man, woman and couple.
“We’re doing $100 cash prizes,” she said.
The diamond drop will be courtesy of John Michaels Diamond and Jewelry Studio. Piggott explained that people can purchase a glass of champagne for $20 with a gem in it, which may be the diamond.
A silent auction will also be held, with items ranging from hotel stays and gift baskets valued at over $100, to a hand-painted adirondack chair, gift certificates to restaurants and businesses and more.
For a small donation, attendees can take part in a wine pull, too.
“We have a couple of actresses that will be there in costume,” she said.
There will be a photo booth and possibly some era-style dancers on hand to perform.
Tickets can be purchased at the distillery, the Gulf Coast Humane Society’s location in Fort Myers, Stephen Todd Home Furnishings, John Michaels Diamond and Jewelry Studio, and Raso Realty.
Tickets can also be bought online at: www.eventbrite.com.
For more information, call 239-242-5244 or visit: wickeddolphinrum.com.
The Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery is at 131 S.W. Third Place.