WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (March 7, 2009) – A gentle March breeze and temperatures in the 70’s set the stage for the 14^th Annual Evening on Antique Row, the signature outdoor event sponsored by the Young Friends of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, where shop owners along South Dixie Highway opened their stores to display beautiful antiques and offer refreshments for all. “The Evening on Antique Row is an event I look forward to each year,” said Melissa Lee of Palm Beach Gardens while shopping at Echo Designs, one of the Antique shops along the Row. “I’ve been attending each year for the past six years, and every year it gets better and better. The shops have such unique and beautiful things and the food from the restaurants this year was amazing!”

 More than 1,600 guests, including West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, attended the $45 per person event, which offered live entertainment and samplings from 27 Palm Beach County restaurant and beverage providers. The 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm event closed Dixie Highway to vehicular traffic between Southern Boulevard and Greenwood Drive. Complimentary shuttle passage along the Row via horse and buggy, bicycle rickshaws, and Molly’s Trolley service allowed guests to comfortably explore the entire array of antique shops representing the West Palm Beach Art & Design District.

Co-chaired by Grier Pressly and Janet Murphy, in conjunction with Tracy Coffey, President of the West Palm Beach Art & Design District, the Evening on Antique Row is a much-anticipated annual event and the primary fundraiser for the Young Friends of the Society. Committee chairs Jen Burford, Laura Wissa, Aime and Christopher Dunstan, Scott Velozo, Stephen Mooney, Penny and Keith Williams, Ken Walters, and Monique Merrill organized the rain or shine event with the help and support of more than 35 Historical Society staff members and volunteers. 

New to the event this year were a breathtaking selection of classic cars on loan from Chariots of Palm Beach, and a garden and putting green area sponsored by Dunstan Designs, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, and GOG. Raffle items benefiting the Historical Society of Palm Beach County were displayed throughout the evening and After-Party. Additional major sponsors of the evening included The Breakers, the City of West Palm Beach, Northern Electrical Enterprises, Inc., Palm Beach Cancer Institute, South Ocean Builders, Scott Velozo, Wachovia Securities, LLC., and the West Palm Beach Antique Row Art & Design District. Media Sponsors were the AT&T Real Yellow Pages, the Palm Beach Daily News, and The Palm Beach Post.

Guests enjoyed an eclectic mix of restaurant samples such as Sushi from Sushi Jo, Bay Scallop Risotto from Temple Orange at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, Key Lime Ice Cream and Snapper Ceviche from the Four Seasons Resort, Braised Sirloin, Mashed Potatoes and Creamed Corn from III Forks, and mouthwatering desserts from Sandy James Fine Food Productions. Additional restaurant and beverage companies participating in the event included Blue Martini, C&C’s BBQ, The Lord’s Place, Café Joshua Catering, Chez Jean Pierre, Christina's Catering, The Coffee Shack, Cucina Dell’Arte, Echo, Gulfstream Seafood Restaurant & Market, Howley's, Legal Seafoods, Marcello's La Sirena, Nick & Johnnie's, Phat Sandwiches & More…, Santaluces High School Culinary Arts Academy, Someone's in the Kitchen Catering, the sugar monkey, White Apron Catering, Zen Rabbit Baking Company, Presidente Beer, and Sweet Tea Vodka.

The evening continued on for members of the Young Friends’ Host Committee with the fabulous After-Party at Hotel Biba, where guests enjoyed a private preview of the 2009 spring/summer swimwear collection of Emilio Pucci. Hors d’oeuvres were graciously provided by Café Boulud, Forte Di Asprinio, and the sugar monkey, with beverages donated by Palm Beach Proper Vodka and Hotel Biba. Additional After-Party sponsors included Chariots of Palm Beach, Melanie & Chris Hill, PhotoBoothSocial.com, and Wardall Antiques.

Proceeds from the Evening on Antique Row will be used to support the educational programs of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County and the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum.