Dale Metz, Susan Keller Horn and Anthony Aruffo. [Photo: Denise Ritchie]

Downtown Vero Beach was awash in winter white recently, as a bevy of Vero Beach Wine + Film Festival fans amassed during the fourth annual Cinema de la Mer, a super-secret white party to benefit the nonprofit organization.

In a flurry of 50 shades of white, guests showcased their alabaster finery, wearing everything from cowboy hats and beach bonnets to chiffon and linen attire, highlighted with feather boas, lace and pearls.

“Tonight was a marvelously magical evening which, like the Vero Beach Wine + Film Festival, created a sense of community and shared vision,” said Jerusha Stewart, VBWFF founder and executive director, adding that the festival is more than just a four-day event in June.

“It’s about education, building awareness, opening up our minds and hearts. And like tonight, it’s also about just entertaining; letting all of us go somewhere else while we relax and enjoy watching a film.”

Mere hours earlier, the secret location was revealed, with ticketholders informed that it would be along 14th Avenue, outside the Theatre Plaza. The setting was significant, in that the film chosen was an encore screening of “Vero’s Historic Theatre,” a documentary directed by Vero native Dale Metz, chronicling the history of the iconic theatre.

As the open-air screening rolled at the north end of the street, guests dined at lavishly decorated tables adorned with fine china, candelabras, crystal and silver on tasty morsels they had toted in, or on scrumptious boxed dinners prepared by Edgewood Eatery. A tableau of silver and white masks, swans, sea urchins and flowers added hints of whimsy to the tablescapes.

To help “white up the night,” guests vied for top honors in the Best Dressed Table Contest, sat for a caricature artist, purchased raffle tickets for “a life worth living experiences” and created a community painting by rendering white flowers on a prepared canvas.

Sparklers lit the night as habitués reclined in posh seating areas while listening to the sounds of the Classern Quartet or danced to the Groove Soul Band under the starry sky, before rolling up the street and bidding their compatriots adieu until the next grand affair.

“Our goal in 2020 and going forward is to continue to become an important year-round force with our programming, special events and community involvement with Suncoast Mental Health Center, schools and other nonprofit organizations,” said Stewart.

In addition to the June 11-14 festival, she announced that a new winter event, the VBWFF West – Best of Fest, will be held Feb. 28-March 1 at the Vero Beach Outlets. It promises to be a special launch of films paired with opportunities to dialogue with filmmakers, food and wine experts.

“By having a winter event, we believe we create an opportunity for more people to enjoy the cutting-edge film festival experience,” noted Stewart.

For information, visit vbwff.com.