2005 Recap

Boca Raton Historical Society “Cheers” Success of Boca Bacchanal Winefest & Auction

The Boca Raton Historical Society is cheering the success of its third annual Boca Bacchanal Winefest & Auction, a fundraising event created to celebrate wine and food while providing the entire community an opportunity to join together in an enjoyable cultural event. Once again, the dynamic Boca Bacchanal committee presented a weekend of delectable festivities.

Starring were an evening of magnificent vintner dinners, a delightful tasting and sipping luncheon on the green, and an exciting auction and dinner…all to support the Heritage Education Programs of the Boca Raton Historical Society, the George Snow Scholarship Fund which provides need-based college scholarships for young people to reward excellence, and the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce's "Golden Bell" Education Foundation, providing assistance to local schools in grades K thru 12th. A highlight of the fundraiser was the presentation of the first Boca Bacchanal Awards of Excellence to famed cookbook author and teacher Marcella Hazan, and to legendary vintner Warren Winiarski, renowned as founder of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and wine educator.

“We were honored to welcome Marcella Hazan and Warren Winiarski, individuals who have done so much to enhance appreciation of food and wine, to Boca Bacchanal, and we were equally thrilled with the support we received from our sponsors, volunteers and guests at this year’s event,” said chairperson Kathryn Gillespie “Their generosity will have a direct, positive effect on the lives of many people in our community, now and in the future.”

Gillespie said that over 1,800 people attended the weekend festivities and that the event grossed $635,000, including in-kind sponsorships. She pointed out that the auctions raised $168,700, and that a “fund-a-need call” at the live auction netted $ 20,250 which will be used to complete the Newspaper Preservation Project at the Boca Raton Historical Society. This initiative provides for the digitized collection of hometown newspapers to be placed on a special website where they can be read and researched by history buffs and students, providing valuable primary information on the growth of Boca Raton from a small town to a cosmopolitan city.