Things To Do In Delray Beach

As the Delray Beach Garlic Fest proves, garlic is more than just the cornerstone to a great meal. It can also be a melee weapon. In the festival's Garlic Chef Stadium, seasoned chefs have one hour to prepare a unique three-course gourmet feast using garlic and a mystery ingredient in each course. They might also use the cloves to cleave any salivating fan who tries to sneak up and snatch a bite. Luckily, those fans can nurse their hunger at Gourmet Alley, which features samples of more than two dozen garlic-seasoned items, such as blackened mahi mahi, gator, and marinated vegetable paninis. Similarly spicing the air are live sets from Collective Soul, Amber Leigh, Andy Childs, and tributes to U2 and Bruce Springsteen.

A group of locals founded the Garlic Fest to help raise money for local organizations dedicated to promoting youth arts and education. Through the nonprofit organization Delray Beach Arts, Inc., the festival has raised more than $390,000 in charitable donations.

FLA Aquatics owes its growth from a 65-member operation to the home of multiple state, national, and international champions to 2000 Olympic coach Duffy Dillon, who—as noted in the Sun Sentinel—was recently inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame. Dillon has amassed an experienced staff of certified instructors who have passed a national level-two background screening, including head coaches with level-five certification from the American Swimming Coaches Association. The company's multiple locations offer programs for all ages, including very young children learning to safely enter the water, competitive high schoolers, and adults seeking to train for a triathlon or start a floatie-based fashion trend.

From its central location in Delray, The Salt Fly hauls its standup-paddleboarding rental equipment to many nearby beaches, the Intracoastal Waterway, and Lake Ida so customers can enjoy some watery fun. The outfit’s owner—also the head of the Delray Beach Standup Paddleboard Club—meets his clients anywhere within 13 miles of Delray to drop off boards and paddles. He even offers lessons on how to catch waves, power across glassy expanses, or accurately mimic fish faces. Boarders can also sign up for a four-hour guided ecotour of Key Biscayne, where they'll have the opportunity to catch glimpses of the tropical fish, stingrays, and young sharks residing in the back bays.

Equipment: Rogue CrossFit equipment

Students should bring: Bottle of water, towels, athletic clothes

Average class length: 60 minutes

Number of Staff: 1?5 people

Class location: Mix of indoor and outdoor classes

Established: 2014

Registration required: No

Good for beginners: Yes

Guests allowed: No

Parking: Parking lot

Pro Tip: All skill- and experience-levels are welcome.

Groups of women gather at the South Florida Women's Expo for a night dedicated to them. Vendors showcase feminine-friendly wares, which women browse while sampling wine and food. Chefs are on-hand to whip up delectable recipes for galleries of onlookers, models strut the fashion show runway in the latest couture, and psychics predict which attendees will have trouble remembering where they parked their car. A select few will win prizes such as spa packages, jewelry, and exclusive trips.

At Vino Van Gogh, you can pick up a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, and just have a good time. In classes for both adults and kids (the latter are wine-free, natch), instructors lead students through the steps of creating a unique piece of art in a variety of styles. The schedule covers a wide range of times and subject matter, allowing you to pick a class ideally suited to your preferences.