Photo by Rob Rich I www.SocietyAllure.com
On Saturday, July 13, Southfork Museum of Natural History (SOFO), the only state-of-the-art natural history museum on the South Fork of Long Island, celebrated the museum’s incredible conservation work over the past 35 years with its annual Summer Gala Benefit (Protecting the Earth for Future Generations) at Southfork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton, N.Y. The celebratory evening, organized and produced by Diana Acety, raised funds that exceeded the museum’s goals for SOFO’s education and environmental programs and initiatives.
This year’s summer gala was hosted by SOFO Founder Andy Sabin with Liev Schreiber serving as Gala Ambassador. The evening’s emcees were Kim & Greg Lippmann and Erica Noble & Ray Iwanowski.
The gala honored prominent conservationists Anke and Jurgen Friedrich, Susan and David Rockefeller, and National Geographic Society President Michael Urika.
The event was a huge success, with over 400 guests in attendance and raising significant funds for SOFO’s programs, initiatives and environmental projects, with a special request to support programs for underprivileged families in the community. Music for the evening was provided by DJ Pete and Alfredo Merat.
During the VIP cocktail reception, guests toured the museum and grounds, viewed the spectacular birds of prey and their emissaries from the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Conservancy, and enjoyed tasting menus designed and donated by celebrity chefs from Baron’s Cove, The Bell & Anchor, East Hampton Grill, Farm & Forage, Golden Pear, Lobster Roll, Paige Sag Harbor, Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, Saaz, Shellworks, Southampton Social Club, 1760 Homestead Farm, Tapovana Lunchbox and Union Burger.
The reception dinner was hosted by Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, flowers were by Designs by Mark Mason, coffee drinks were by Hampton Coffee Company and music was by DJ Pete. Drinks for the evening were provided by Amagansett Wines & Spirits, Aphrodise, Aplós, Channing Daughters Winery, Field & Sound Whiskey, JA Baczewski Monopolowa Gin & Vodka, Kidd Squid Brewing Co., LALO Tequila, Papa’s Pilar Rum and Talkhouse Encore.
During the live auction, guests had the opportunity to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including a breathtaking stay on the Amalfi Coast in a luxury four-bed villa sleeping up to eight, a nature adventure in the Azores surrounded by wilderness, a French wine experience and stay at an 18th-century chateau in Bordeaux, a Scottish championship golf experience with a four-night stay at the Fairmont St. Andrews Resort, a golf experience in St. George, Utah, a Napa wine experience with a stay at the Meritage Resort and Spa, a Tuscan villa experience combined with a stay in Florence, a half-day fishing excursion in Montauk on a 60-foot Bertram Yacht, and an America’s Cup Yacht Sailing Adventure in San Francisco. These packages included unique amenities such as private boat tours, chef-prepared meals, hot air balloon rides and guided tours.
