Chefs at Garlic Fest will offer free demonstrations, such as this one at a past festival, at noon both days at The Clove, site of garlic-themed food and beverage. The Clove’s premium bar will offer cocktails such as jalapeño margaritas, garlic bloody marys, pickled garlic martinis and Crazy Uncle Mike’s brewed garlic bread beer, along with nonalcoholic drinks. Marketplace vendors will sell fresh garlic, jarred garlic, garlic graters and other goods. Photo provided
By Christine Davis
Returning to Delray Beach, the odiferous Garlic Fest, known as the best stinkin’ party in South Florida, will be at Old School Square on Feb. 28 and March 1.
The event was created in 1998 by Festival Management Group’s nonprofit arm, Delray Beach Art Inc. Jennifer Costello, the executive director of those organizations, gives a history of how the festival started.
“In the late 1990s, Delray Beach was still a quiet, sleepy town,” Costello says. “Our founders, Nancy Stewart-Franczak and Bern Ryan, joined local civic leaders to brainstorm how to bring life back to the downtown. Their idea was bold: Create a ‘signature event that would generate excitement, ignite tourism and, most importantly, support local nonprofits.’”
At first, the idea was met with laughter, Costello says.
“Undeterred, Nancy and Bern persuaded a few civic leaders to go to Gilroy, California, home of the world-famous Garlic Festival. What they saw there was eye-opening — a vibrant community celebration that energized the downtown, drove tourism and raised significant funds for nonprofits.”
Inspired by Gilroy’s success, Delray Beach leaders gave the green light. First celebrated in a downtown parking lot, the festival offered food, art and music. Within five years, the festival amassed more than 20,000 visitors, impacting activities in the downtown area and necessitating street closures — a bit more than Delray Beach leadership was looking for, Costello explained.
To accommodate the city’s needs and to keep the garlicky good times going, the festival moved to John Prince Park in Lake Worth Beach, and then, following an interruption caused by the pandemic, it moved to Wellington.
With approvals in place, Garlic Fest returns to Delray Beach in all its stinkin’ glory with a smaller footprint and no street closures. In a more mindful collaborative model — partnering with the Downtown Development Authority and working with the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Delray Beach Green Market, Coco Market, the Delray Beach Open and ArtNest — the festival is not bigger, but aims to be just as good or even better with food, art, crafts and music.
Spin Doctors will headline the music, joined by the Fabulous Fleetwoods and Given to Fly.
Keeping to a smaller footprint, “We are not bringing back the garlic chef stadium or the carnival rides,” Costello said. “But we will have The Clove, which will have an elevated bar and food seminars.”
With 120 feet of food along the festival’s Gourmet Alley, event-goers will get to feast on delicacies such as garlic ice cream, gourmet garlic smash burgers and garlic conch fritters.
Eighty vendors will sell a mix of arts and crafts, plants and edibles, such as fresh or jarred garlic, spices, sauces, jerky and honey.
The festival may have a small footprint, but it will make a big impact, Costello says. “We’re excited to be back home.”
Hours of Garlic Fest are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Feb. 28 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 1. Tickets are priced at $15 on Saturday until 6 p.m. then the entry cost goes to $25. On
Sunday, the cost is $15 all day. Tickets can be purchased at eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=18647.
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A California tech company advancing quantum computing development is moving its corporate headquarters to the Boca Raton Innovation Campus, the city’s former IBM site, after the city approved a $500,000 incentive grant on Jan. 6 to lure the company.
D-Wave Quantum Inc., based in Palo Alto, says an increased interest and demand for its quantum computing technology and systems are behind its desire to establish “a key development hub” in Boca Raton. It plans to transition its headquarters to the city by the end of 2026.
The change will give D-Wave a presence on both coasts, providing system redundancy in the case of disaster recovery and expanding a North American presence that already includes facilities in Connecticut, California, Alabama and British Columbia.
The company also announced that Florida Atlantic University has made a $20 million commitment to install its Advantage 2 annealing quantum computer — “aiming to accelerate and solidify the state of Florida’s position as a leader in quantum computing.”
“With our new headquarters in Boca Raton, D-Wave will bring to South Florida incredible opportunities for advanced research, talent recruitment, and high-impact technology development that is shaping the future of computing,” said D-Wave CEO Alan Baratz.
Boca Raton’s economic development incentive is based on D-Wave’s commitment to create 100 jobs in the city over the next five years, with annual salaries exceeding $125,000.
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A 1.34-acre lot from the oceanfront to Intracoastal Waterway at 1300 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, sold for $27.49 million in January. The seller was 1300 South Ocean LLC, managed by local attorney Maura Ziska. The buyer was Pitchoune Life LLC, a Delaware-registered company, care of Dennis Zaslavsky in Deerfield, Illinois. Zaslavsky is the senior managing director of Clearstead Advisors, a financial consultant.
Gary Pohrer of Serhant and Nick Malinosky of the Exclusive Group at Douglas Elliman were the listing brokers on the deal, while Marine Rollins of Miami Global Realty represented the buyer.
The property last sold for $11.8 million in 2021 and a home on this site was demolished in 2023. This lot has about 200 feet on the Intracoastal Waterway with a dock and sea wall, and 158 feet along the ocean. Plans by Palm Beach architect Gregory Bonner of B1 Architect came with the property.
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A 10-unit co-op building at 1191 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, sold for $22.5 million. The seller was an LLC managed by local investor Daniel Edwards, and the new owner is Palmetto Coast Holdings LLC, a company registered in Delaware with an address in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Edwards, who had owned one of the units, purchased the property in a sale approved by the co-op board in June 2025 for $18 million. The development, known through the years as The Horizon of Delray Beach, was built in 1952. It is sited on a lot just under 1 acre with 120 feet of oceanfront.
The buyer was represented by the Matt Moser and Nick Gonzalez team of Serhant. The seller was represented by Christian Prakas, also with Serhant.
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Boston real estate developer Carol Sawyer Parks sold her 9,368-total-square-foot estate, with 90 feet on the ocean, at 2545 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach, for $17.5 million to KM One LLC, an affiliate of developer Kolter Group, based in Delray Beach.
The four-bedroom home, built on the 1.03-acre site in 2009, features a summer kitchen, bar, balcony, pool and a private pathway to the beach.
Carol Sawyer Parks is the president and CEO of Sawyer Enterprises and Sawyer Parks Inc. She developed the W Boston Hotel & Residences and the Niketown building on Newbury Street in Boston.
While the Kolter Group builds residential communities and condos, it also has a custom home division, which works closely with Marc Julien Homes. Nick Malinosky and Michael O’Connor of the Exclusive Group at Douglas Elliman brokered the deal.
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A trust in the name of Bridget Maguire sold an 8,131-square-foot estate at 215 W. Coconut Palm Road, Boca Raton, in the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, for $16.5 million — a drop of $3 million since its previous purchase less than two years ago. The new owner is 215 Coconut Palm Land Trust, with Aaron S. Adler as trustee.
Maguire, founder of Miami-based Premier Legal Advantage, bought the home for $19.5 million in June 2024. It was first listed for $22.5 million in August 2024, but the listing price fell to $18.5 million in November 2025.
Built on the 0.34-acre site in 2022, the five-bedroom home features a dock, a zero-edge pool, spa, bar/wine room, private study and an outdoor fireplace.
Maguire’s company is a consultant and recruiter for major law firms. The deal was brokered by David W. Roberts with Royal Palm Properties.
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Boca Villas Apartments, a 106-unit complex at 100 W. Hidden Valley Blvd., Boca Raton, sold for $30 million. The sellers were Edwidge Realty Limited Partnership and Marina & Briana Limited Partnership, both managed by Michael Mele of Boca Raton-based Mele Management Co.
The buyer is Boca Villas, a Delaware limited liability company associated with Matthew Paul, the owner of MAP Communities. Tal Frydman of Newmark represented both sides in the deal. Boca Villas last traded for $13.5 million in 2019.
Its first 53 villas were built in 1988. Another 53 villas were completed in 2024, along with a new clubhouse, pool and 10 garages.
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The Boca Chamber’s 20th annual Diamond Award luncheon will be held Feb. 20 at The Boca Raton, in celebration of women whose leadership has shaped Boca Raton and southern Palm Beach County.
This year, the Diamond recipient is Marta T. Batmasian, co-founder of Investments Ltd., for her support of initiatives that advance education, health care and community well-being.
The chamber will also present the 2026 Pearl Award to Sabrina Greenberg, founder of EcoLoops and a senior at Saint Andrew’s School. The Pearl Award honors a young female leader and graduate of the Boca Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy who demonstrates entrepreneurial excellence. Greenberg’s work with EcoLoops reflects her commitment to sustainability, innovation and social impact.
For information or tickets, contact Sarah Vielot at svielot@bocachamber.com.
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Alina Residences Boca Raton announced that assistant property manager Ahmed Abbas was recognized by FirstService Residential as its Rookie of the Year. The award was presented at Le Méridien Dania Beach at Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Abbas joined Alina Residences in November 2024 in an administrative role. He advanced to assistant property manager, where he coordinated with contractors, managed unit closings and supported residents of Alina 220.
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The Greater Lantana Chamber of Commerce announced its new board of directors in January at an installation dinner at The Carlisle Palm Beach. David Lumbert of Ocean Bank is now the president. The new vice president is Laura Urness of the Presson Group with Corcoran Realty. Jane Richardson of Friends of Foster Children serves as treasurer, and Jackie Phelan, owner of Underground Promos LLC, is secretary.
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Past champion and Boca Raton resident Frances Tiafoe committed to play in the 34th Delray Beach Open, Feb. 13-22 at the Delray Beach Tennis Center.
Tiafoe, who has ranked as high as world No. 10, was a 20-year-old wild card ranked No. 91 when he won the Delray Beach Open in 2018.
Other players scheduled to compete include Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Tommy Paul, Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen.
Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion and 2011 Delray Beach winner, is returning to the tournament in the Legends exhibition-style matches, along with six-time Delray doubles champions Bob and Mike Bryan, former French Open champions Luke and Murphy Jensen, and past Delray Beach Open singles champions Tommy Haas, Xavier Malisse and Jan-Michael Gambill.
Fans can watch qualifying rounds for the ATP 250 tournament as well as practice sessions.
New this year, children 14-and-under will receive a free Stadium Court reserved seat with the purchase of an adult ticket on the day of the event at the box office.
For more details, visit delraybeachopen.com.
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The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County’s voters guide to 18 municipal elections in the county goes online Feb. 7 at lwvpbc.org. To access the free guide, click on the Voter Toolkit 2026 button. Elections will be held on March 10.
“The league delivers nonpartisan information to local voters every election,” said Amy Kemp, the league’s president. “Providing potential voters with reliable, responsible, nonpartisan information is our primary mission.”
The league has compiled biographical information and political positions from 85 candidates in 32 campaigns in the guide, called Vote411.
For the November elections, the league will host an Election Expo and publish both a printed and online Vote411 guide to all local, county, state and federal campaigns that will be on the ballot in the county.
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The Institute for Regional Conservation, along with the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Association of Delray, recently hosted a beach dune ecological restoration event at Delray Municipal Beach as part of IRCC’s Restoring the Gold Coast program.
Volunteers from the Young Professionals, FAU Sustainability Club and the Beach Keepers removed sea grape from dune habitat to benefit the federally endangered beach jacquemontia plant. This site represents the largest remaining population of the species in Palm Beach County.
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The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority recently launched its redesigned website, DowntownDelrayBeach.com. The new platform makes it easier for businesses, residents and visitors to discover, plan and experience the downtown.
Based on an economic impact model using its analytics along with benchmarks from Destinations International, Visit Florida, and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the website is estimated to generate $15.5 million in annual economic impact, including $10.35 million in direct visitor spending.
New features of the website include destination mapping of shops, restaurants, spas, galleries, hotels and cultural destinations — and nearby parking to these destinations.
Users can create personalized Art Walk routes. Businesses are grouped into themed experiences. Signature attractions are highlighted.
It contains a centralized listings for events, dining, lodging and activities. The site’s guides are expected to add an estimated $1.35 million in incremental annual revenue.
“Our goal was to create a modern, mobile-friendly website that doesn’t just inform, but actively guides people through downtown Delray,” said Suzanne Boyd, director of marketing for the DDA.
The new site helps people “discover new places, plan fuller experiences, and engage more deeply with everything downtown has to offer — while directly supporting our local businesses.”
Christine Davis writes business news and can be reached at cdavis9797@gmail.com.
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