Photos: Duke’s Cause For Celebration

Duke’s Malibu wrapped up its 16th year of “Big Wednesday” events in grand fashion last week, with a performance by the Polynesian dance troupe, Island Inspirations, and raffling off hundreds of dollars worth of prizes. Prizes included a surfboard, clothing, sunglasses and plenty of other beach-friendly accessories. 

The summer-long event, held every Wednesday until last week and raised $9,500 benefited several area charities, including Life Rolls On, Marina Del Rey Outrigger Canoe Club, Malibu Coast Surf Lifesaving Association, THERAsurf, and The Young and Brave Foundation.

The Big Wednesday Finale, which kicked off its first 2014 event on June 25, culminated after a summer of Wednesdays in the Duke’s Barefoot Bar. For the finale, though, the party shifted to the Ocean Room where guests could get goofy in the photo booth, enjoy music and indulge in Dukes’ famous fish tacos.

Judson Link, Camila Pupparo and Malibu firefighter Chris Hanson show a fishing pole that Hanson had made for the raffle.

Gregory and Whitney Chiate, and their kids Maxson and Beanie, ham it up at the photo booth outside of the Ocean room at Duke’s on Wednesday night.

Beanie Chiate helps assist Camila Pupparo in spinning the raffle drum before a lucky prize winner was announced.

Polynesian dancers Joselyn Arciaga, center, Koana Laimaina, Kalei Mertens dance to traditional music.