Grace and Gratitude

The 27th Annual Best of Tallahassee Gala Celebrates Winners in Style

In the world of floristry, ivory roses are said to represent grace, thoughtfulness, and timeless charm. All of these values were in attendance—as well as a stunning myriad of white and ivory flowers—at the twenty-seventh annual Best of Tallahassee event: an Ivory Chic Extravaganza.

The Best of Tallahassee event, hosted by Tallahassee Magazine, is an opportunity to applaud the businesses, experts, and service providers voted the best of the best by the ones who are really in the know: Tallahassee locals. At The Moon on the perfectly cool evening of November 4, not only were the 114 winners celebrated with awards and toasts, but fans and community members came in force to get the party started—almost 750 dressed in gorgeous shades of white. 

Guests took to the red carpet as the Tallahassee Magazine crew ensured they were checked in and bedecked with a gold wristband representing The Ripple Project, the benefiting organization of this year’s event. VIP guests received their swag bag, which contained not only a copy of the November-December issue but also a custom Tallahassee Magazine hat compliments of Dozer Custom Trucker Hats, a mug, and a chic reusable tote from Silver Sands Premium Outlets. As they entered the foyer of The Moon, which pulsed with conversation all through the night, Best of Tallahassee winners received their glass plaque awards, as well as a window sticker for their business storefront, and everyone enjoyed the photo op by Smile in Style Events.

“We get our photo booth pictures every year, and they are ceremoniously posted on the walls of our office,” said Dr. Lauren Combs of Ox Bottom Animal Hospital. After all, “It’s the night that everyone dresses their best and looks amazing.”

Birdie Cocktails welcomed guests to the main ballroom with an all-natural sparkling cocktail. Further inside, the music of Crystal Clear Band mirrored the spirit of the drink: fun, vibrant, and a little bit cheeky. Classic party hits such as Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours),” Rihanna’s “We Found Love,” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” were augmented by the band’s upbeat stage presence and dancing.

The atmosphere was all decked out in white: floral arrangements from A Country Rose exploded across the space, as well as white draping, lamps, and balloons. Entertainers from Flying With Ease danced on stilts in extravagant ivory gowns.

And let’s not forget the food! Social Catering brought a smorgasbord, boasting indulgences like charcuterie, bruschetta toast, Madison Social’s famous BLT dip, savory meatballs, fried chicken bites, and more. Staff from Social Catering delivered heavy hors d’oeuvres around the venue, which guests seated at premium tables particularly enjoyed.

In the VIP Lounge, VIP guests also enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres and sushi from Chuck’s Fish, a downtown Tallahassee staple, as well as a private bar perfect for cashing in those drink tickets. But perhaps the best thing about the VIP Lounge is the private space for mingling—after all, one of the best things about the Best of Tallahassee event is the chance for local business owners and community members to meet, share ideas, and build lasting connections.

The true impact of the Best of Tallahassee event was demonstrated through these connections, as key event leaders took the stage to address the crowd. After a welcome video and remarks from Tallahassee Magazine publisher McKenzie Burleigh, Combs spoke on behalf of Ox Bottom Animal Hospital; her words showcased the meaningful relationship between her practice, now a sixth-year presenting sponsor, and Tallahassee Magazine.

“I love having the opportunity to recognize everyone for their continued strength and dedication to running their businesses in this town,” Combs said to Tallahassee Magazine. “I want them to feel seen and their work to be appreciated, as it deserves to be.”

After Combs’ remarks, Arielle Cleary of The Ripple Project introduced guests to the benefiting organization––“a story born from courage, compassion, and community.”

“What began as one young woman’s act of courage has grown […] into The Ripple Project, a nonprofit committed to walking alongside families through every step of their cancer journey,” Cleary said. “We provide year-round emotional and financial support to local families, and we invest in research that brings hope for a cure.

“Tonight, we invite you to be part of that ripple. Your support helps us continue this work: bringing comfort, advancing research, and standing beside families when they need it most.”

The exposure to such influential businesses and individuals in attendance is “the biggest thing,” Cleary said to Tallahassee Magazine. Burleigh and Cleary pointed guests to a QR code on the screen where guests could make a donation and help support the families who benefit from The Ripple Project. Then, it was time for one of the highlights of the event: presenting a giant check for $50,000 made out to The Ripple Project.

“We were all really excited,” Cleary said in response to receiving the check. “It’s a huge dollar amount [we will] be able to put toward advertising our organization.” She says the nonprofit will now be able to put more funds “back towards our families locally.”

“It was just a huge blessing.”

In her closing remarks, McKenzie Burleigh brought a very special partygoer up on the stage: a little boy named Sterling, celebrating his golden birthday (the color of The Ripple Project); he turned 4 years old on November 4. Burleigh led the crowd in the “Happy Birthday” song before it was time to revel again.

The house DJ brought some tunes after the check presentation, which led to a surprise: as Fergie’s “Glamorous” played, a flash mob from Drip Drop Fitness hit the dance floor. The Tallahassee Magazine crew and other community members joined in the choreographed fun before encouraging everyone to get out on the dance floor. When Crystal Clear Band returned, it was with “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang—cueing a cannon of white confetti to rain down on the crowd and the fog machines to cover the dance floor.

And for an ultimate surprise, the entertainers from Flying With Ease had also returned in head-to-do disco ball attire; for Dorothy Vodicka of The Gem Collection (Best Jewelry Store Winner), one of the highlights of the evening was “watching them mingle with the audience and on the dance floor … all the dancing, and the band, was phenomenal,” Vodicka says. 

With the dance floor in full swing, guests were also out of their seats and exploring the event vendors. Dozer Custom Trucker Hats was on-site with a selection of hats, plus a patch bar and press, allowing guests to create a one-of-a-kind souvenir (and VIP guests to customize the Tallahassee Magazine trucker hat that came in their swag bag). Penta Tequila, lit with the glow of fairy lights, offered four different tequilas to sample, and Half Shell Vodka—the first spirit in the U.S. to come in a 94% recycled cardboard bottle—served samples of perfect gluten-free vodka lemonade.

“You couldn’t not have fun,” said Arielle Cleary. “Everyone said, ‘We want to do this again next year.’ We were able to kick back and not focus on the nitty-gritty for a couple of hours and celebrate the hard work that paid off this year.”

As Crystal Clear Band said goodnight, the feeling was bittersweet—while the Ivory Chic Extravaganza was at a close, guests were feeling recharged and rewarded for all that they do to make our city shine. We look forward to celebrating the hard work of Tallahassee’s most impressive businesses next year and for many years to come. At Tallahassee Magazine, it is our goal to shower these experts with the love and care they’ve shown us time and time again.

Cheers to our 114 winners, the best of the best!