Houston City Slickers Become Cowboys for One Wild $1.5 Million Night
Historic Ranch Becomes an Adult Playground in a Rocking Cattle Baron's Ball
BY Shelby Hodge // 05.01.19Chita & Lane Craft at the Houston Cattle Baron's Ball at the George Ranch. (Photo by Mike Charlton)
What: Houston Cattle Baron’s Ball, “City Lights & Bayou Nights”
Where: The George Ranch Historical Park
PC Moment: City slickers by day, more than 1,300 after-hours cowpokes donned their chicest western threads for the annual bash presented by VICTORY and benefiting the American Cancer Society. In the effort, they raised more than $1.5 million. Applause, applause for chairs Elaine Balagia Croucher, Ashley Plaeger, Darci Vazquez and Kelsey Wright.
This was another of the western-style rockin’ and rollin’ nights where a whopping silent auction, midway games, Vegas-style gaming tables, a wine pull, a jewelry pull from Zadok Jewelers, a Kendra Scott jewelry pull, the must-have pig races, and a car raffle presented by Sonic Automotive kept guests on their toes. Special to this night was the Blade and Bow Bourbon covered wagon, trailered in from the distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, where guests could sample a “new” old fashioned.
The live auction brought in more than $350,000 thanks to donations including dinner for 100 at Steak 48, a South African safari, a Viking River Cruise, Art Deco earrings from Tenenbaum Jewelers and a Ford F-150 and a Chevy Silverado 1500, both contributed by Sonic Automotive.
Stepping into the spotlight as honorees were Elizabeth and Alan Stein and their children, Laura Elizabeth and Jacob; the George Foundation; the George Ranch Historical Park; Fort Bend history Association and Rocky Parr.
Elizabeth Anthony
Pappas Catering provided the bountiful buffet spread that had guests swooning over the pork belly tacos, shrimp and grits, the requisite fried oysters and so much more.
On the musical side, entertainment included Deana Carter and six-time Vocal Group of the Year Diamond Rio.
PC Seen: Victory president Jerré Williams and Dennis Williams, Andrea and former mayor Bill White, JoAnn Petersen, Jody and Jeff Dyke, Carol and Bill Lawler, Ellie Francisco, Robin and Danny Klaes, Joanna and Brad Marks, Hannah and Cal McNair, Denise Montelone, Hallie Vanderhider, and Judy and Jack Johnson.
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