On Saturday close to 500 guests stepped out in their best 1950s attire for the fifth annual Be a Kid Again Gala in an effort to raise money for the educational programs at the Miami Children's Museum. The event, held at the 56,500-square-foot Watson Island venue, prompted attendees to channel their inner child and explore the hands-on exhibits. Thierry's Catering joined forces with ME Productions and Jason Frix to transport guests back in time nearly 60 years.
"It was important for us to provide entertainment that showcased the flavor of the fifties," said Ted Boyd of ME Productions. "Strolling characters and performers located throughout the event pulled guests to different spots in the museum, encouraging them to visit all the exhibits."
Throughout the bilevel museum's 14 exhibits guests could showcase their best 1950s dance moves in the venue's auditorium-turned-1950s prom space (complete with spiked punch and a hula hoop and bubble gum blowing contest), peruse the more than 100-item silent auction, and head upstairs to the event's Beach Bash, which appropriately took place in the cruise ship and Port of Miami exhibit.
The Thierry's team served traditional diner fare including mini burgers, mac 'n cheese, French fries, and onion rings as well as an expansive salad bar on the main level of the space. Additional food stations included made-to-order crepes, gazpacho and ceviche, traditional New Orleans jambalaya, and old-fashioned milkshakes, ice cream floaters, and assorted confections for dessert.
Entertaining greasers and dollies, temporary tattoo artists, caricaturists, and a barbershop quartet who treated revelers to impromptu performances wandered throughout the venue entertaining guests.
Upon exiting guests were treated to a gift bag containing assorted chocolates, compliments of Ghirardelli Chocolate and a gift certificate to Tory Burch.