Louisiana Bayou-themed event draws 600 brightly-clad attendees together in Palm Beach to raise money for the Red Cross.
By John Arundel
A Mardi-Gras inspired fête presented by Lilly Pulitzer brought the Louisiana Bayou to Palm Beach via sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the Big Easy. The event was chaired by Lilly Pulitzer’s oldest grandson, Bobby Leidy, a Vice President for Deutsche Bank in Palm Beach.
Bruce Sutka of Sutra International Design recreated scenes from Bourbon Street, a Mississippi riverboat and other New Orleans hotspots. Guests dined on the finest of Southern delicatessens such as beignets, po’ boys, gumbo, mac-and-cheese and an Cajun crawfish boil while soaking in the ragtime jazzy beats of the Benevolence Hall Marching Band before DJ Adam Lipson took the stage.
All proceeds from the Red Cross Beach Bash supported the lifesaving work of the American Red Cross, helping local residents prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Other notable guests included Honorable Mary Oursiman, chair of the 55th Annual International Red Cross Ball, and Mandy Ourisman, Bill and Nancy Rollnick, professional golfer Dustin Johnso, Brooke Raich, Loy Anderson, Susan Miller, Terri Mersentes, Richard Sagerson, Laureston Roach, Chris DiSchino, Carl Loof, Colleen Orrico and Matt Cohen, and Rob Levine.