McDonald's National Salute to America's Heroes is a weeklong event that includes Fleet Week USA and the Air & Sea Show. It recently rolled into South Florida once again, bringing an influx of service men and women to enjoy a week full of activities in their honor. One event was a lavish reception held on the deck of the U.S.S. San Antonio for the corporate sponsors of Pro Series Inc. (which produces the Air & Sea Show).Mickey Markoff, the president of MDM Group, a corporate-sponsored sporting and special events firm, helped to orchestrate the reception for approximately 400 guests including high-ranking government and military officials.
Guests boarded the massive ship at Port Everglades as the sun set. The deck was transformed with 75 cocktail and highboy tables and 12 bars from So Cool Events, which glowed in various colors as the sky darkened. They also uplit the buffet stations that lined the edge of the deck. So Cool's six ice sculptures-logos of the U.S.S. San Antonio and the Air & Sea Show, and silhouettes of F-15 fighter jets-decorated the stations.
A Joy Wallace Catering Production & Design Team prepared enough food to feed an army. Passed hors d'oeuvres included hot conch fritters, beef Wellington, shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, and more. The buffet stations offered a variety of cuisine from Mexican to Asian. Guests noshed on such freshly made dishes as burritos, Cajun shrimp with white rice, roast pork with corn soufflé, and sautéed spinach. Desserts were as plentiful: mini éclairs, Key lime tarts, and chocolate cakes were butler-passed by the dozen.
The entertainment was also varied. The evening kicked off with a performance by the United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team , who performed on a stage complete with lighting, sound, and trussing by Garrett Production Group. Living statues from Designs by Sean were interspersed throughout the reception, providing a nice photo op. Later on, New Century Dance Company performed two numbers-a racy Latin-infused set followed by a calm under-the-sea ballet.
The Golden Knights, the United States Army Parachute team, launched a surprise attack on guests when they jumped from an airplane, hurtling towards the ship. They landed in an adjacent lot to thunderous applause-outdone only by the response to the fireworks finale that signaled the end to a fantastic fete.
—Vanessa Goyanes
So Cool Events made six ice sculptures for the McDonald's National Salute to America's Heroes sponsor reception.
The reception was held on the deck of the U.S.S. San Antonio.
One of the living statues from Designs by Sean made it handy for guests to grab a glass or two of Veuve Clicquot champagne.
New Century Dance Company entertained the crowd with a hot salsa performance.
