Polish the Jewel:
La Soiree de Chapeaux
Join Rochelle Riley, Director of Arts & Culture for the City of Detroit, and Belle Isle’s most
passionate supporters at Polish the Jewel: La Soiree de Chapeaux.
Funds raised at Polish the Jewel support Belle Isle Conservancy, and will help to expand
free public access to the nation’s oldest original aquarium for the summer 2023 season.
SARAH EARLEY GEMSTONE AWARD HONOREE
Joyce Hayes Giles
Founding Board Member, Belle Isle Conservancy
Sponsors and Benefactors are welcomed to an exclusive VIP hour in the Detroit City
Distillery Cocktail Lounge from 5:30pm - 6:30pm with Detroit City Distillery cocktails,
food stations, passed appetizers & live entertainment.
General admission patrons are welcomed to the Belle Isle Aquarium
gallery at 5:30pm for wine and appetizers.
Access to the lounge granted for all from 6:30pm beyond.
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As of Friday, May 12, tickets are no longer available.
TICKETS
SOLD OUT
Patron
Fascinator Benefactor
Fedora Benefactor
Cloche Benefactor
$150 per person
$250 per person
$500 per person
$1,000 per person
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LE COMPETITION DE CHAPEAUX
The Hat Competition
Hosted by: Leslie Ann Pilling, Founder, MM-O-DD
LES CATEGORIES
MILLINERY MASTERPIECE
Best Overall Hat
LA TÊTE AUX PIEDS
Best Head-to-Toe Ensemble
CHAPEAUX COUTURE
Best DIY
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Enter at check-in for a chance to win!
*Denotes former and current Belle Isle Conservancy board members
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The 19th annual Polish the Jewel is a 21+ event.
Questions? Interested in sponosrship?
Contact ptj@belleisleconservancy.org for more information.
A recreation passport is required to enter Belle Isle park.
Visit michigan.gov/dnr for more information.
2023 POLISH THE JEWEL CHAIR
ROCHELLE RILEY
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DIRECTOR OF ARTS & CULTURE
CITY OF DETROIT
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Rochelle Riley ended a nearly 20-year career as an award-winning Detroit columnist in 2019 to become the City of Detroit’s Director of Arts, Culture & Entrepreneurship. She now guides the city’s investment in its creative workforce and creates opportunities for transformative innovation. In 2020, she conceived the United States’ first city-wide memorial to victims of Covid-19: 15 funeral processions that circled the city’s Belle Isle past 924 photo billboards of victims. The installation gained international attention and provided closure for families across the city who could not hold individual funerals. More than 25,000 cars drove past the billboards; millions viewed it online and on television; and it was featured during national coverage of President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
ABOUT POLISH THE JEWEL
Since 2005, Belle Isle’s most prominent supporters, including the area’s top business and civic leaders, have shared their passion for Belle Isle Park during the annual Polish the Jewel Belle Isle Legacy Luncheon. Dressed in their favorite shoes, chapeaus, and jewels, more than 400 women – and a few men – from across Metro Detroit attend Polish the Jewel to share their favorite memories of Detroit’s beloved island gem, as well as raise funds to support Belle Isle Conservancy's operations and ability to pursue our mission to protect, preserve, restore, and enhance Belle Isle Park for the enjoyment of all - now and forever.
