Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1530891
Carrie Underwood, Baronesses, and Beer Burros at Southfork Ranch Cattle Baron's Ball Inside Dallas' 51 st By Melissa Smrekar. Photography Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass. W hen I arrived at Southfork Ranch, a miniature donkey named Johnny Cash offered me an ice- cold Coors Light from the basket on his back. Welcome to Cattle Baron's Ball, y'all. What started as a party in a field 51 years ago has grown into the largest single-night fundraiser for American Cancer Society in the world — and since the ball is undoubtedly the most Dallas event in town, where better to hold it than at Southfork, the fictional Ewing family's renowned stomping ground. The committee responsible for the shindig is comprised of 100 women known as Baronesses. Following last year's 50th anniversary Ball — a record-breaking night that netted $5.5 million for cancer research, with Shania Twain as headliner — this year's co-chairs, Lora Farris and Marjon Zabihi Henderson, enlisted American Idol alum Carrie Underwood to entertain. The ball provides some of the best people- watching in town. Highlights this year included Hayley Louden's Chanel gun-holster crossbody, Dr. Courtney Derderian's vintage leather-fringe beaded vest from Recess LA, Madison Strode's electric-green mini-dress from Staud, and Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd leaning into the cowboy aesthetic. Of course, we found lots to admire. Whether you were shopping for a new set of veneers, tickets to Watch What Happens Live, or de Boulle 14-carat diamond hoops, the silent auction was your friend. High rollers flocked to the live bidding, where a slumber-party package at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science fetched $130,000, while Baronesses emphatically rang cowbells to up the momentum. This year's paddle raise funded a research grant in honor of Claire Amberson Phillips' husband, Kace, who died earlier this year from glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. During the live auction, Claire bravely came onstage with six-year-old son, George, and four-year-old daughter, Caroline. A paddle instantly shot up. Gucci-clad Chris Parvin promised to donate $500,000, meeting the entire goal. In all, guests donated $1 million for research in honor of the Phillips family. At 10 pm, guests arrived at the big tent for Underwood's performance. She sang all the hits — and, as the lyrics say, everyone was "blown away." Marjon Zabihi Henderson Lora Farris Katy Brooks in a custom jacket Madelaine & Russell Lam Madison Strode Erika Burton Vodi Cook, Avril Terry, Rachel Scoggins Dr. Courtney Derderian with Johnny Cash the Beer Burro Letitia Frye 50