Weekend Best Bet: All American Tailgate Party

A Tailgate Party: Delray style.

A Tailgate Party: Delray style.

It’s been billed as South Florida’s largest tailgate party and it happens right here in Delray Beach.

But unlike other tailgate parties which are designed to rev you up for the big game, the “All American Delray Tailgate” party is designed to raise money for local kids, specifically children who attend the Delray-based Achievement Centers for Children and Families, a local non-profit with a rich history of taking good care of Delray’s most at risk children.

The 8th annual Tailgate Party is set for May 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Delray Center for the Performing Arts at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave.

Fans who attend will enjoy food from popular Delray Beach restaurants, craft micro-brew beer, live entertainment and a Family Fun Zone.

Hosted by the Delray Beach Initiative, proceeds from this event help low-income children and families in the community. The event is volunteer-driven with all net proceeds benefiting the Achievement Centers for Children & Families.

The Delray Beach Initiative is a brand new group of business and civic leaders who have come together for the express purpose of raising money to benefit local children. So far, the Initiative, founded by Stuart and Shelby Development CEO Chuck Halberg has hosted singer-songwriter events and a charity cruise that benefitted Pine Grove Elementary School, a local Title 1 school in which many students are on the free and reduced lunch program.

But the big event for the Initiative is the Tailgate which over the past eight years has become a Delray Beach tradition.

The goal this year is to raise $35,000.

“We’re swinging for the fences,” said Halberg. “I think with the community’s support we can do it.”

Admission is $25 for adults, youth ages 13-20 is $10 and children are free.

Admission includes free parking (before 5 pm), lots of food, craft beers, live entertainment and fantastic door prizes and giveaways…not to mention the Family Fun Zone with entertainment for the entire family.

Delray Beach Initiative members have been successful in landing a who’s who of business sponsors including Stuart & Shelby Development, Real Time Marketing, Iberia Bank, Delray Elks Lodge 1770, Mark Gerretson Memorial Fishing Tournament, Jaxx Consulting Technology, attorney Lee Cohen, Weiner, Lynne and Thompson Attorneys at Law, Scirocco Insurance, the Delray Beach Police Department, DADA restaurant, Waste Management, Delray Motors, Embroid Me, Island Air Conditioning, Chamber Men’s Group, Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, City of Delray, Red Hook, Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza, Delray Center for the Performing Arts, Pixel Print, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Papas Tapas, Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza, The Pineapple, Grand Tavern, BJ’s, Southgate Design, Silver Star Provisions, Cheney Brothers, Fresh Meal Plan and Atlantic Ave magazine.

Tickets to the event are also available via the website www.delraytailgate.com.