In just over TWO weeks, The Starboard and Ruddertowne will host the second annual Winter Gala here in Dewey Beach at the Baycenter. The Gala is Black Tie optional (jacket/tie required) and begins at 8pm on Saturday, February 13th. Over 750 people attended last year's event! It's a great way to celebrate here in town during the cold month of February.

Entertainment will be provided by Jimi Smooth & The Hit Time, John Eddie, and JellyRoll. There will be heavy Hors d'Oeuvres and an Open Bar. Not only will we have standard bars set up, but several "creative bars" (as has been the case for many of these events), such as Bourbon/Martini bars, Wine bars, an Ice Luge, and so on.

The event serves as a fundraiser hosted by local businesses to assist our Lifeguards and Police Department in providing safety services throughout the summer season. It also acts as a festive "thank you" to the officers and lifeguards who work so hard to protect all of us. Last year we were able to raise and donate $10,000 to our Police and Lifeguards to assist them in purchasing safety items not allocated in their normal operating budgets. Such things include Junior Lifesaving programs, radios, etc.

If you are able to join us Saturday February 13th, please do so as last year was a huge success, all had a great time, and we hope to grow this winter tradition for years to come.

Most Lighthouse and Starboard bartenders will be behind the bars, so you will know all the familiar faces. Tickets are now on sale for just $85 a person. We will mail tickets to all that purchase up until the week of the event. After that, they will be available at 'will call' near the coat check. We have already sold over 250 tickets for the Gala as of today, and now they will really start to move now with just a few weeks to go, to order yours.......CLICK HERE!

Opening for our 51st season will take place as normal on the long weekend of St. Patrick's Day, March 17 - 21st...YES a FIVE DAY opening party! No other establishment can pack the small town of Dewey Beach in the off-season the way The Starboard can. The hotels and other businesses all plan their openings around The Starboard! It is quite a big deal to our area....if you haven't already made your plans to attend....do so now! We'll have the parking lot tented off to gain some extra capacity to hold everyone, have the place stocked with all your favorites, the kitchen filled with Eggs Delmarva, and all of the NCAA action on even MORE HD TVs than we used to have. Even the tent will have HD TVs so you don't miss a play over the first weekend of the NCAA tournament!

VIP cards will be available at our Opening, but not until then. We will have representatives on hand to give them out throughout the Opening Weekend. This year, we are also introducing a new concept and level of VIP, which we will be announcing in mid-February, so you'll have to wait another few weeks on that one!

Hope you are all having a great winter and are doing your best to stay warm as it has been a cold one here! The beach in Dewey/Rehoboth/Bethany has taken a hit with the major Nor'Easters we dealt with in December...but it is slowly coming back so hopefully we can provide a beautiful beach for all by the time the warm weather gets back! If not, don't worry, we have PLENTY planned at The Starboard to keep you all occupied over the summer of 2010!!!

Take care, Be Safe, and see each and all of you very soon back here in Dewey!