Claire Sinclair and Hugh Hefner

Playboy founder and legend Hugh M. Hefner, along with fiancée Crystal Harris and the 2010 Playboy Playmates, celebrated Playmate of the Year 2011 during a private cocktail reception in Moon Nightclub on Friday. The highlight of the evening was when Hefner announced Claire Sinclair (Playboy Playmate October 2010) as the winner of Playmate of the Year 2011.

Owner of Palms George Maloof shared a few words before introducing Hefner to the stage.  Guests in attendance included Playmate of the Year 2010 and contestant of the hit show The Apprentice Hope Dworaczyk; model, actress and TV personality from The Girls Next Door and Bridget’s Beaches Bridget Marquardt; Playmate of the Year 2008 and TV personality from The Hills and Holly’s World Jayde Nicole; Playboy Playmate January 2011 Anna Berglund; celebrity designers behind the label The Blonds and creators of Sinclair’s dress Phillipe and David Blond; and 2010 Playboy Playmates Jaime Edmondson (January 2010 and Amazing Race contestant), Kyra Milan (March 2010), Kassie Logsdon (May 2010), Katie Vernola (June 2010), Shanna McLaughlin (June 2010), Francesca Frigo (July 2010), Olivia Paige (September 2010) and Shera Bechard (November 2010).

As Playmate of the Year 2011, Sinclair received $100,000 in prize money, a Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom with H-D1 factory customization and a collector’s item — a one-of-a-kind set of Playboy Fragrances with Swarovski Elements.

Earlier that afternoon, Hefner and his Playboy Playmates hosted the season premiere of the weekly pool party Ditch Fridays at Palms Pool & Bungalows. They enjoyed the scene from the privacy of a VIP cabana on stage. Resident DJs E-Rock and Mark Stylz entertained party-goers by spinning their beats on the turntables.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

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