Rockets stars, city officials party at Fertitta’s police foundation bash
Partygoers and River Oaks residents could spot Saturday night’s True Blue Gala a mile away.
The police-car cavalcade, army of guests decked in denim and festive lighting on the Fertitta family compound made for a brilliant sight — of navy, turquoise and cerulean — to behold.
There was an unexpected dash of red, too. High-profile Rockets players, including Chris Paul and James Harden, made cameos at the 10th annual Houston Police Foundation fundraiser chaired by the team’s new owner, Tilman Fertitta, and his wife, Paige.
The duo, scions Patrick Fertitta and Michael Fertitta, Rockets CEO Tad Brown and members from this season’s roster all lumped together for one heck of a family photo inside the security-guarded living room. Muzzled K9s struck poses during the impromptu shoot as well — basically, the setup was holiday-card gold.
Outside, Mayor Sylvester Turner and his daughter Ashley Turner chatted poolside with dinner chair Laura Ward and her husband, emcee Dave Ward.
The 800-plus crowd busied itself by hopping between demonstrations of Taser target practice and shoot-house simulations. For fuel, the crowd filled up on signature peach margaritas and trips to the bountiful Mastro’s buffet stations.
Nothing like beef tartare, stone crab claws or the restaurant’s legendary warm butter cake to maintain energy levels.
Two hours into the social frenzy, helicopters whirled overhead for the program’s main event: a whodunit rescue mission for “kidnapped” Police Chief Art Acevedo. Fortunately, SWAT teams remedied the staged hostage situation, and a Dolly Parton impersonator delivered an admittedly convincing performance following Acevedo’s safe return to his table.
In celebration of the record-breaking evening, which raised $870,000 toward HPD equipment and training, a 30-minute backyard fireworks display capped the finale with a glorious bang.
Reportedly, even Houstonians outside the Loop caught views of those sparklers.