Impromptu Trace Adkins auction items raise $500K at Cattle Baron’s Ball
Describing the Cattle Baron’s Ball to first-timers is half the fun.
“It’s like a private rodeo, for one night only, for the sociable charity set” was the best explanation overheard last Saturday at George Ranch Historical Park.
There, in Richmond, is where 1,300 guests traveled — veteran Greater Houston eventgoers commute by party bus or town car — for 2018’s “Drilling for a Cure”-themed soiree. Pulling up to the 20,000-acre working ranch sure looks like the rodeo; the waving stream of American flags and nearly two dozen cowboys and cowgirls lined up on horseback makes for one helluva welcome wagon.
Inside the dirt-floor venue, VIPs enjoy an hour to survey the scene sans crowd. This year, the setup included Garrison Brothers Distillery tastings, lambs chops courtesy of Pappas Catering and first go at the photo mirror — aka the next big thing in photo-booth technology.
Then at 7 p.m., when the barn doors swung open, A-listers beelined to the second floor for an exclusive meet-and-greet with Trace Adkins, the country-music headliner who later contributed to the live auction’s $500,000 with an impromptu donation of his guitar and hat.
Meanwhile, ticket-holders made a mad dash for the shindig’s ever popular pig races, poker tables and buffet stations. The last included Angus beef brisket over cheddar grits, white cheddar mac ’n’ cheese with pork belly, fried chicken and biscuits, shrimp tacos, fried oysters, crab cakes, Cuban sandwiches and an avocado bar.
After artist-to-watch Bri Bagwell wrapped her opening set, KTRK-13’s Katherine Whaley kicked off the program by recognizing honorees Becky and Kelly Joy, Sonic Automotive and the KWS Foundation in addition to chairs Jerré Williams and Susan Ryan’s hard work. The dynamic duo raised more than $2 million toward the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer research.
Post-program, Whataburger distributed late-night snacks for the trip home — a Texas tradition that requires no explanation.