The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (SoFo), the only state-of-the-art natural history museum on the South Fork of Long Island, will host its 27th Annual Summer Benefit, EXPLORE * DISCOVER * CELEBRATE, will take place on Saturday, July 16th to benefit educational and environmental programming and community initiatives at the Museum.

The event will be chaired by Ann Liguori and Kim & Greg Lippmann and will honor Anke & Jürgen Friedrich and the Patsy & Jeff Tarr Family [top photo]. Featured Celebrity Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, and co-hosts Tracy Anderson and Katie Lee get their groove on with guests to the spirited sounds of Nancy Atlas and the Nancy Atlas Project Band.

The 6:00-7:00 pm Pre-gala VIP Cocktail reception will feature a Special Tasting Menu by: Leading Chefs & Restaurants Kerry Heffernan, Grand Banks Restaurant; David Loewenberg & Sam McCleland, The Beacon and Bell & Anchor; Matty Beaudreau, Baron’s Cove; Keith Davis, The Golden Pear; Sarah Hong, East Hampton Grill; Brian Halweil, Edible East End; Terry Harwood, Vine Street Café; Mike Martinson, Montauk Pearl Oysters; Greg Grossman, The Culinaria Group; and Glenn Olsson and Marcus Widell, Swedish Culinary Summer.

The Gala Reception will start at 7:00pm and will feature abundant farm-to-table and sustainable seafood hors d’oeuvres catered by Peter Ambrose, a Honoree Presentation, dancing with the Nancy Atlas Band, and Live and Silent Auctions.

VIP Tickets are $1,250, and general admission (limited availability) tickets are $400. Young Professionals (30 and under) tickets are $275. VIP Tables begin at $10,000. For VIP tickets, tables and business sponsorship opportunities, call Diana Aceti, Director of Development at 631.903.7217, or email daceti@sofo.org. General admission tickets can be purchased online HERE or by calling 631.537.9735.