Upcoming Events 
Florida Red Hat Gala
hosted by the
Florida West Coast Queens’ Council
March 26 – 28, 2015
SHERATON TAMPA EAST
10221 Princess Palm Avenue
Tampa, FL 33610
813-623-6363
The Gala has something for everyone, ensuring that Red Hatters will have a top drawer gathering place to meet old friends, make new friends, share excellent meals and fun things to do while creating
new memories.
Thursday, March 26, 2015:
4:00 to 5:30 PM - Meet ‘n Greet - Link Cafe at the Sheraton Tampa East.
Reconnect with your Red Hat Sisters while enjoying refreshments. Check in time at the hotel is 2:00-3:00 PM. Get checked in, unpack and dress for cocktails and dinner.
Optional Thursday Evening Dinner Cruise: Welcome aboard Florida’s largest, and America’s first 3-Diamond rated (AAA) dining yacht. At 5:30 PM a motor coach will take us from the hotel to Channelside Port of Tampa where we will board the beautiful Yacht StarShip at 6:30 PM. We will cruise Tampa Bay from 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM while we dine. After dinner adjourn to the upper deck and dance under the stars with a great DJ.
There are three meal choices and you may decide once you are aboard.
All meals include the House Salad: Cohito Cheese, Garbanzo Beans, Shaved Red Onion, and Grape Tomatoes with a Toasted Cumin Seed and Tomato Vinaigrette; Chef’s Specialty Dessert (two choices); Iced Tea & Coffee Service.
• Chicken Rouladen: Boneless Breast of all Natural Chicken stuffed with Roasted Peppers, Tomatoes, and Smoked Gouda Cheese with Pimento Saffron Sauce, Moro Rice, and Zucchini.
• Florida Garden Lasagna: Zucchini, Roasted Red Peppers, Eggplant, Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Goat Cheese, layered with Fresh Spinach Pasta.
• Fresh Catch of The Day: Market Fresh Fish served with Chef’s Selection of Sides.
Cost: Only $72.00 includes roundtrip motor coach transportation with drivers tip, 2-1/2 hour cruise, 3-course meal, gratuity, top deck DJ and dancing, port charges, all taxes and fees.
Please note that you can reserve your space with a deposit of $20 with full payment due February 26, 2015. (See attachment to reserve this dining experience.)
Friday, March 27, 2015:
6:00 – 9:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet in Panfilio’s Restaurant - (price included in Pkg. #1).
- Let’s explore…
We have two optional tours from the hotel during the day. One going north to Mount Dora and one going south to Sarasota. If you would like toparticipate in optional tours, you must be at the Sheraton Tampa East for departure. See tour details below. Reservation form for tours attached.
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Mount Dora & Lakeridge Winery – $45.00
On the way to Mount Dora, we stop in Clermont at Lakeridge Winery for a tour, tasting and shopping. Lakeridge Winery sits on a 127-acre estate in gently rolling countryside some 25 miles west of downtown Orlando. Lakeridge ranks as Florida’s largest premium winery, and remains a pioneer in the development of table and sparkling wines from muscadine and hybrid grapes.
Mount Dora was named for Dora Ann Drawdy in 1846 and incorporated in 1910. The railroad depot was built in 1915 and is now the Chamber of Commerce office. Nestled in the hills of Lake County, Mount Dora is a delight to visit at any season, offering special events throughout the year. Boutiques, gift shops, antique galleries and 84 eateries line the picturesque downtown area, and Lake Dora invites a leisurely stroll along the shore. Enjoy lunch on your own or shop or both. Price includes roundtrip transportation to Lakeridge Winery, Mount Dora and tip to driver.
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
John & Mable Ringling Museums – $67.00
Ca’ d’Zan is the home of the circus king and his wife, a couple from humble mid-western origins. Inspired by and designed in the Gothic style of the palazzos that ring Venice canals, this dazzling palatial mansion perfectly captures the splendor and romance of the Italy the Ringlings so loved. To honor its owner, they named it Ca’ d’Zan, “House of John” in the dialect of their beloved Venice.
Price includes roundtrip motor coach with tip to driver and admission to the Ringling complex: the Art Museum, the first floor of the mansion Ca d’Zan (Ringling’s winter residence), and the two circus museums. One holds a miniature circus and the other is the original circus building with displays of gilded parade wagons, calliopes, costumes and more. Tram service is available at no extra charge.
Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the eateries on site: Treviso Restaurant is open for lunch 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Banyan Cafe offers a place to relax with a cold drink or coffee and anything from hot dogs and hamburgers to salads and fruit cups at tables under its portico or at picnic tables in the warm Florida sunshine. The Museum Cafe features Starbuck’s coffee and a selection of Tazo’s teas.
If neither tour appeals to you, the Hard Rock Casino is nearby, along with the famous Westfield Brandon Town Center with shopping, movies and eateries. The hotel provides shuttle service within a 5 mile radius which includes the Hard Rock. (Additional information will be in your registration packet.)
FRIDAY EVENING – CIRCUS CIRCUS
7:00 – 11:00 PM
Red Hatters of all ages – time to call your inner child and come to the Circus. Plan your costume – there will be prizes – or wear relaxed Red Hatter colors. But come and have a super duper fun time. Good eats, carnival games to play, prizes to win, raffles, dancing to the oldies, popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream, a photo booth – it’s all waiting for you.
Circus Dinner Menu:
All plated dinners include a Salad of Mixed Baby Field Greens, English Cucumbers, Grape Tomato and Home-Style Croutons (dressings of Ranch, Blue Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette on side). An Ice Cream Sundae Station where you can create your favorite sundae. Please select your entree from the menu choices below:
• Sesame Seared Chicken with an Orange Balsamic Reduction, served with Fingerling Potatoes and Roasted Vegetable Medley.
• Grilled Mahi Mahi in a Key Lime Butter, served with Couscous and Roasted Vegetable Medley.
• Sliced Pepper Crusted Sirloin with a Port Wine Demi-Glace, served with Fingerling Potatoes and Roasted Vegetable Medley.
• Wild Mushroom Ravioli, Basil, Garlic, Tomato Bruschetta drizzled with a Roasted Pepper Cream Sauce.
|
Enjoy the Red Hat Boutique with your favorite vendors, have your formal photo taken, join the raffles, relish the luncheon and entertainment, and take away a lovely memento of your Victorian Red Hat Experience.
VICTORIAN COSTUME CONTEST:
When designing your Victorian costume, keep in mind that you will be judged on the authenticity of the period. Although we would like to see our Red Hat colors incorporated, you are not required to do so. Prizes will be awarded.
VICTORIAN RED HAT DECORATING CONTEST:
When designing your Red Hat, you must incorporate a minimum of 5 items from the following list: flowers, pearls, bling, a lace hankie, a cameo, netting, feathers/boa. You must register as a contestant during registration for the luncheon on Saturday when we will determine that your hat entry has the required items. During the festivities on Saturday, we will announce our “Parade of Hats”. At this time, a panel of judges will evaluate eligible entries against predetermined criteria, i.e. beauty, originality, authenticity, workmanship, etc. Prizes will be awarded.
Victorian Luncheon Menu
(Choose one)
• Rosemary & Black Pepper Crusted Sliced Pork Loinin a Wild Mushroom Sherry Wine Sauce, served with Wild Rice Pilaf and Julienne Vegetables.
• Grilled Breast of Chicken with Roasted Garlic & Thyme with a Boursin Cream Sauce, served with Wild Rice Pilaf and Julienne Vegetables.
• Pecan Crusted Tilapia with a Lemon Beurre Blanc, served with Wild Rice Pilaf and Julienne Vegetables.
• Chef’s Vegetarian Selection.
All meals include a cold Fruit Soup, Spinach Salad with Crispy Pancetta, Manchego Cheese and Balsamic Fig Vinaigrette. Desserts will be assorted Mousse Shooters, Chocolate Covered Strawberries and Miniature Fruit Tartlets.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
EVENT PACKAGES
We are offering packages for the Gala so you can pick and choose what you would like to include in your celebration of Red Hatting. The optional tours are not included in Gala package prices as they are managed by our preferred travel agency, Advantage Cruises and Tours. We have attached a reservation form for your convenience. Make your reservations early as seating is limited.
Package #1 – $160.00- includes:
Thursday, 3/26- Meet ‘n Greet @ The Sheraton 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Friday, 3/27 – Breakfast @ Panfilio’s – Circus Circus 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Saturday, 3/28 – Victorian Luncheon 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Package #2 – $139.00 includes:
Friday, 3/27 – Circus Circus 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Saturday, 3/28 - Victorian Luncheon 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Package #3 – $79.00 includes:
Friday, 3/27 – Circus Circus 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Package #4 – $60.00 includes:
Saturday, 3/28 - Victorian Luncheon 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
All reservations/cancellations must be completed by February 22, 2015
No refunds after February 22, 2015
HOTEL INFO:
Sheraton Tampa East Hotel, 10221 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610 is conveniently situated off I-75 and slightly south of I-4 near Brandon, Florida. Our Tampa hotel is the newest, upscale hotel featuring the best accommodations among hotels near Brandon. Choose from our 266 guest rooms, which includes 46 suites, each of which has one king or two double Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Beds. Get a workout on our tennis courts or in our Sheraton Fitness Center, featuring breakthrough training programs from Core Performance. Hang out by the outdoor pool or shop at Westfield Brandon Mall. Our hotel near Brandon is located just three miles from this shopping haven that features every store from Coach, Talbots and Macy’s to the Disney Store, GameStop and As Seen On TV.
Special Group Rate: $110.88/night (includes all taxes and fees) - 1-4 persons.
This room rate will be in effect three days prior and three days after the event. You may make your reservations directly with the hotel by calling 813-623-6363.
Please use codename WCQC RED HAT GALA or copy and paste the following link into a web browser to make reservations online - https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/WCQCGALA
Rooms accessible to those with disabilities are also available. Be sure to let Guest Services know your needs.
Junior suites feature separate living and bedroom areas and include a microwave, refrigerator, and a pull-out sleep sofa. Please note that our upgrade room rate for Junior Suite is $132.09 (includes all taxes and fees) 1-4 persons.
Hotel Accommodations must be booked separately.
We suggest you make your room reservations as early as you can.
We have booked a limited number of rooms.
Rooms must be booked no later than February 22, 2015.
We are looking forward to a most happy Gala and hope you can join us.
Purple Hugs and Red Hat Kisses,
QM Marilyn and the WCQC