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N ine months in the making, the beautiful white tent rose from the fields with event- planning help from Big Time Creatives. The Round Top Festival Institute's first fundraising gala — chaired by Katrina and Mark Elvig and held inside the gloriously climate-controlled tent erected on the grounds of the historic arts and entertainment venue — raised more than $450,000. It was an enchanting evening with a menu from Royers Round Top Cafe and dancing to jazz guitarist Ric Cortez and Jazz Rico. More than 400 locals and supporters of the arts flocked to raise funds for Festival Hill's operations, student scholarships, and concerts. During the evening, guests watched a video of the Texas State History Museum Foundation's History-Making Texan Award presentation to Festival Hill founder and artistic director James Dick, which recently took place at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. "It was a very moving overview of the 50 years of Festival Hill," said gala coordinator Pat Johnson. To boost the bottom line, guests bid on trips and more. Cheryl and David Snell were the top bidders of the night, laying down $22,000 for a one-week stay at Birch Haven, the private Maine retreat belonging to the chairs, and $14,000 for a five-day stay at Mountain Shadows, a Spanish Colonial-style estate home near Marfa donated by board member Susan Ashcroft and her husband, Richard. Frank Hillbolt of Round Top Real Estate won a dinner for 10 from Ellis Motel, Round Top Smokehouse, and Little Cheese Shop for $7,200, and funded a $6,000 scholarship for Festival Hill's Summer Festival young artists. Spotted: Committee members Jessica Anders, Susie Glasscock, Judy Hancock, Joanie Havlick, Joan and Jerry Herring, Sandy Miller and Father Bill Miller, Susannah Mikulin, Anna Oeding, Leslie Penello, Frances Pittman, and Cindy Stephens; along with Jamie-Len and JB Royer, Festival Hill program director Alain Declert, Mandy Dealey, Ruth and Jack Elvig, Denise Jacobs, Steve Ditsler, Faith and Ralph Frerichs, Janet and Richard Schmidt, Clemencia and Jordan Larimore, Linda Plant; Jamie and Craig Moreau, Michael Kentor, Cinda and Armando Palacios, John Cone and Greg Fourticq, Patsy Fourticq, and Wendy Burks (co- chair of the recent Fayetteville Community Center & Performance Theater Gala) with husband Cade, Nichole Petrie, and Jill and Randy Bachman with son Simon. 50 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FESTIVAL HILL th By Candice Cowin. Photography Chris Pierre Bachman. Sebastian Anchante Hugh Shannonhouse Armando & Cinda Palacios Linda Plant, Melissa Roberts Jenn Schuhmacher, Casey Boecher Susan Lis, Mike Watson Ruth & Jack Elvig John Cone, Greg Fourticq, Andrew Echols Sandy Miller & Father Bill Miller Karen Bookout, James Dick Leslie Penello, Susannah Mikulin Chairmen Katrina & Mark Elvig Joan & Jerry Herring Denise Jacobs, Frank Hillbolt Ellen Hart & Michael Peck Craig Moreau, James Dick, Jamie Moreau 12