THE PALM EVENT

WORLD-CLASS CARS AND PHILANTHROPY

B y r olise r achel

The Palm, an event with several days of world-class cars and philanthropy, held its 9th annual event from March 17 to March 19. The celebrations started Friday evening with the VIP opening event at Safe Harbor Rybovich Super Yacht Marina in West Palm Beach. Saturday was a driving tour of Palm Beach, and Sunday was the historic display at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. Each year vintage automobile enthusiasts worldwide look forward to this event.

On Friday, lite bites and cocktails were served under palm trees while warm breezes swirled among several noteworthy automobiles and mega yachts at the breathtaking Rybovich Yacht Club in West Palm Beach. Guests were delighted with a fashion show of the latest Palm Beach trends, a live performance by a saxophone player, and an opening media presentation, all in appreciation for The Palm sponsors.

Saturday, the driving tour emphasized the history of Palm Beach with a tour of a private car collection, gourmet food, and a Champagne toast at the finish line. The Rallye’s sequence on Saturday was Hagerty Social & Garage, Flagler Museum for a tour, Rybovich Marina for lunch, and the awe-inspiring Steve Wolf Collection in Boca Raton, and Club 66 with a collection of classic muscle cars from 1966 to 1972. Past stops have included The Breakers, the Society of the Four Arts, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, The Hangar, Sailfish Club, The Mar-a-Lago Club, other private car collections, yachts, and more.

Sunday, the finale, Mar-a-Lago’s great lawn was filled with automobile connoisseurs and exquisite vintage cars and modern-day marvels. It was a vision for enthusiasts and eventgoers alike. Historically significant racing cars, sports cars from the 1920s, exotic cars, and modern hypercars filled the field.

Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley, Maserati, Lotus, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Mercedes Benz, Alfa Romeo, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Pagani, and more were present. Noteworthy were those with a racing pedigree and documented participation in famous events like the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, Le Mans, Targa Florio Rallye, Daytona, Goodwood. One-off street cars, interesting prototypes, and nostalgic celebrity cars also were present. Inside the original gold gilt ballroom, was a sensational presentation of art by Kirill Basov, the entertainment director at the Breakers Palm Beach and CEO of Uki Productions. Gourmet food prepared by award-winning, five-star chefs from Mar-a-Lago, plus liquors and cigars with a fine array of products from luxury sponsors enthralled all. Many automobile awards were presented, including People’s Choice, Most Elegant, Kennedy Era Award, Most Significant Racing

History, Best Porsche, Most Beautiful Ferrari, Best Sounding Sportscar, Lady’s Choice, English Sophistication, and Best Pre-War Classic. Automobile style, design, and racing heritage is the focus for enthusiasts during the three-day event. However, the mingling of location, art, architecture, gourmet food, cigars, Champagne, spirits, and luxury items all come into play making The Palm an event to remember.

Scott Shrader and Tara Meredith, the founders of The Palm Event, donate a portion of the proceeds to a Place of Hope, which rescues abused and neglected children in Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast.

The Palm Event thepalmevent.com placeofhope.com