Cattle Baron VIPs lasso $2.2 million via fancy junk food and auction items
Cattle Baron’s Ball, to the uninitiated, is hard to grasp. It’s equal parts rodeo, casino night, shopping bazaar, concert and eat-a-thon.
Fortunately, 2017 chairs Cindi Colvin, Denise Leisten and Tammy Norman have their pitch down flat.
Last year, the trio marched into River Oaks District hot spot Steak 48 and asked Oliver Badgio, senior vice president at Prime Steak Concepts, to sign on as a “Pink Diamond” sponsor of the annual Victory event benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Not only did he pony up and throw in an “Ultimate Guys Night Out” auction package, he and business partner Jeff Mastro flew into Houston for the weekend with their wives, Kristen Badgio and Jodi Mastro, to experience the festivities at the George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond first hand.
The Scottsdale, Ariz.based foursome joined bold-faced Houstonians Hannah and Cal McNair, Joanna and Brad Marks, Lori Sarofim, Christie Sullivan, Kristina Somerville and the Cullen family in the dirt for an exclusive VIP experience. The tony group received blinking faux gemstone rings upon arrival, and then it was on to bourbon tastings at the Garrison Brothers Distillery Bar, a private performance from Adam Hood or samplings of Hugo’s and Tony’s highend junk-food buffet.
Not for the faint of heart (or non-Texans, for that matter) dining stations offered chile rellenos, tamales, enchiladas, fried avocados, tostadas, a queso bar, prime beef Frito pie and mini flautas.
Once doors opened to the public at 7 p.m., so did bidding and raffle opportunities. More than 1,875 cowboys and cowgirls rushed the Magnum Wine Pull, Kendra Scott Jewelry Pull, pig races, Midway Games, silent auction and big board.
NBC News correspondent Janet Shamlian presided over the relaxed program, which included additional performances from Holly Williams and headliner Dwight Yoakum, live auction with Mike Jones, drawing for the IW Marks 1-carat diamond and Sonic Automotive car raffle.
While the Badgios and Mastros figured out what the 30th anniversary celebration was all about, ballgoers had no trouble deciphering the value of their athlete-heavy package; as one of the evening’s big-ticket items, the winning bid hovered above the $20,000 mark.
When the dust settled, more than $2.2 million had been raised, something that newcomers and repeat ticketholders can both appreciate.