“The Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory After Hours Dessert Party” Treated Guests to Confections and Disco-Dancing at the 122nd National Horse Show

Wellington, FL – December 3, 2005 – It was the highlight party night of the 122nd National Horse and Family Festival in Wellington, Florida, on Friday, December 2, as the equestrian set boogied into the night at “The Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory After Hours Dessert Party” at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. Following the fabulous evening of show jumping showcased as “Jumping Under the Stars” featuring the $100,000 Lexus National Horse Show Jumper Championship, CSI-W presented by Chesapeake Petroleum, more than 1,000 guests bearing their Golden Tickets attended the after-party. Many of the riders who competed in the night’s featured class, won by Molly Ashe riding Neuville owned by Jane Forbes Clark, were among the merrymakers in the chocolate-y environs of the after-party. The event was held to benefit the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches and The National Horse Show Association of America, Ltd.

“It was one of the most entertaining horse show exhibitor parties I’ve ever produced,” pronounced Mason Phelps, Chairman of The Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory After Hours Dessert Party. “I’m very happy that the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches sponsored this event. It was a win-win for the horse show and the Cultural Trust.”

Eugene R. Mische, President of the National Horse Show Association of America, Ltd. served as Grand Marshall of the After Hours Party. Honorary Chairmen were Rex Seley and Joshua Parker of Morgan Stanley, and Tensy Caine, vice president and regional manager of Fidelity Federal.

The Special Events Pavilion at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club was transformed into a delightful version of the Wonka Chocolate Factory in the popular Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory film. As the Golden Tickets to the event noted: “In your wildest dreams you can’t imagine the marvelous surprises that await you …”

Indeed, entering at the Factory Gates, guests were greeted by Willie Wonka (aka Mason Phelps in full regalia from the movie à la Johnny Depp). Inside, the factory was filled with, of course, chocolate! An eight-foot waterfall of chocolate splashed down one corner of the pavilion, and a dessert bar featured cookies, strawberries, and marshmallows to be dipped in the two flowing chocolate fountains – one white and one dark chocolate. Guests were also treated to gift bags of chocolates, and hundreds of chocolate bars and candies hung from the decorative trees and ceiling décor and were also placed on every available space throughout the ‘disco’ – all provided by Godiva Chocolate. Dancing costumed performers and Oompa Loompas (little people costumed as Wonka Factory workers) entertained and provided wonderful ambiance straight out of the movie. A live disc jockey kept the partygoers boogying on the crowded dance floor until after midnight.

Guests included: Todd Minikus, Danielle and Jimmy Torano, McLain Ward, David Raposa, Kimberly Prince, Scot Evans, Jane Forbes Clark, Don Stewart, Ken and Emily Smith, Lauren Hough, Eric Flameng, Leo and Samantha Conroy, Tammy Gerber, Steve Stephens, Michael Brown, Allan and Jill Shore, John Madden, Kim and John Walker, Peter Welles, Jeannie Dello Joio, David and Tuny Page, Kim Tudor, Bent Jensen, Susan Dutta, Susan Rubin, John Zoppati, and Mirja Block.

The 122nd National Horse Show and Family Festival runs through Sunday, December 4, at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida.

PHOTO CREDIT: “Willie Wonka” aka Mason Phelps, Chairman of the Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory After Hours Dessert Party” at the 122nd National Horse Show PHOTO BY: Susan Stickle