Winter Gala moves to Starboard for 2013

The Starboard is a Dewey Beach summer staple, where customers crowd the open deck in bathing suits and flip-flops.  But this month, the local watering hole will double as the venue for an elite formal affair.

The fifth annual Winter Gala to benefit Dewey Beach Police and Dewey Beach Patrol will be held at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Starboard.

Structure damage from Superstorm Sandy put the Baycenter out of commission for this year’s event.  When construction of the new Grand Hyatt hotel and convention center is complete, gala chairmen Jim Baeurle and Steve Montgomery say the event will return to its home at Ruddertowne, likely next year or in 2015.

At first, Montgomery said, there wasn’t going to be a gala in 2013. “I didn’t want to not have a gala because of damage from the hurricane,” he said.

So Montgomery said he and Baeurle decided to make it work.  “I think it can be just as much fun,” he said.

Besides, Montgomery said, the event is not about the venue. “We’re facilitating this event so the people in Dewey can have a good time and say “Thank you” to the police and the lifeguards,” he said.  “It’s the police and the lifeguards and the employees of this town that make Dewey what it is.”

Last year, the event drew 700 people – the largest crowd since the event began in 2009 – and raised more than $23,000 in donations.  Some of the money was used to fund a cage for the police K9 vehicle and rescue boards and uniforms for the lifeguards; $15,000 was set aside to match a state grant to install cameras in Dewey Beach, as a public safety measure, Montgomery said.

The Starboard owner said he hopes fewer expenses at the smaller venue will balance the limit on attendance so donations can remain about the same.  The Starboard can accommodate only about 500 people, and only 200 tickets are still available, Montgomery said.

In the past, most tickets were sold in the final days leading up to the gala, he said.  “I think we’re going to be sold out the week of the event,” he said.

Typically, 20 tables are made available, but because of the smaller size of the Starboard, only 15 tables were made available this year.  Montgomery said all 15 tables have been sold.

A town ordinance limits the number of expansions of premises per year, so the Starboard is not allowed to set up a heated tent in its parking lot and include additional tables.

As in years past, the event will feature chef-prepared hors d’oeuvres from The Lighthouse, the Starboard Restaurant, Bethany Blues, Que Pasa, Woody’s Grill, Port Restaurant, Captain’s Table and Stingray.

Five open bars will feature an ice luge, margaritas, fresh fruit crushes, microbrews, oysters shooters and specialty bourbon and martinis.

The Keith Mack and Ed Shockley Band, Comfort Zone and Jimi Smooth and the Hit Time will provide live music.

Montgomery said Dewey Beach Town Manager Marc Appelbaum will work with Police Chief Sam Mackert and Beach Patrol Capt. Todd Fritchman to compile a wish list for both departments, from which Montgomery and Baeurle can pick which items they will purchase for the town.

For the second year in a row, community group Friends of Dewey will run a silent auction to fund town beautification efforts.  The group plans to use this year’s funds to place decorative covers around public trashcans.

Tickets are available for $85 each at wintergaladewey.com.