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Formula Fall for Success By Billy Fong. Photography Tamytha Cameron. E spionage, alfresco, and the Bee Gees. This year's annual benefit for the jewel of downtown Dallas, Klyde Warren Park, had all three — and it proved to be the formula for a perfect event. Party in the Park always brings in much needed funds to keep the park clean and safe for its million- plus annual visitors. Espionage: One half of the couple who founded Klyde Warren Park, Sheila Grant (her husband is businessman Jody Grant), provided gifts for guests that evening: Waiting on each seat was a copy of her recently published page-turner, Passport to Danger. The espionage thriller is set during the height of the Cold War with glamorous moments around the globe, from intrigue in the skyscrapers of New York City to the beaches of Acapulco. Alfresco: The main event was dinner served on the grand lawn of the park. The tables were picture-perfect — you may have seen them on the dozens of Insta stories I spied that evening — with a blue color palette and vibrant floral centerpieces. Assembled at my table were Ann and Lee Hobson, Vito Cammisano, Megan Delgado, and superstar couple Porschla and Jason Kidd. Porschla wins my best- dressed honors by breezing in straight from one of her children's volleyball games in a gingham dress with cowboy boots — a chic mashup of The Wizard of Oz meets Southfork Ranch. Bee Gees: The headliner for post-dinner dancing and merriment was the tribute band Stayin' Alive: One Night of the Bee Gees. This year's event had a disco theme, and guests danced to classic tunes from the oh-so hot brothers Gibb. Earlier in the evening, Klyde Warren Park CEO and president Kit Sawers offered an intriguing proposition from the podium: Any guest who donated $2,500 on the spot would see their favorite song choreographed with lights and dancing water at the Nancy Best Fountain (one of the biggest attractions at the park) as a living soundtrack for years to come. Personally, I'm torn as to which song I myself would choose — likely an '80s classic such as The Go-Go's "We Got The Beat," or perhaps a yacht rock classic (wink-wink, Ann Clayton and Katherine) like Looking Glass' "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)." Drumroll, please: This year's event — with honorary chairs Debbie and John Tolleson, event chairs Amy and Peter Baldwin and Kacy and Carter Tolleson, and sponsor Republic National Distributing Company — was a record-breaking success, raising $1.1 million. The fashionistas were out that evening, including singer Erin Duvall, who belted out "Lean on Me" to begin the festivities, as well as Kristin and James Hallam, Merry and Chad Vose, and Nancy and Robert Best, who generously funded those aforementioned dancing fountains. Save the date: Next year's event will be Thursday, October 8. Jody & Sheila Grant Muffin Lemak Julie Butler Peter & Amy Baldwin John & Debbie Tolleson Kacy & Carter Tolleson Lyda Hill, Mary Jalonick Monica & Brent Christopher Ray & Heather Washburne Rachel & Michael Osburn Jason & Porschla Kidd Luke & Krystal Davis Sheila Grant autographing her book 34