It's that time of year again. Time to get out the Luccheses and Stetsons and the turquoise jewelry as the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show committees are revving their engines as the rodeo nears. Getting a jump start on western-style partying is the Steer Auction Committee, which packed in hundreds at the annual Hide Party on Saturday night.
That shindig, held at Reliant Center, celebrates the big buyers who make top bids at the annual steer auction and recognizes every group that spent a minimum of $5,000 at the auction. For their largesse, the big spenders receive the hide from the cow they purchased. In fact, there were 200 hides on display for presentation.
Recognized for dipping deep into their pockets as Champion and Premium hide buyers were Sally and Rigo Flores, Evelyn and Roger Bethune, Mary Alice and Ed Lester and Vanessa and Chris Bruegger. The Champagne Cowgirls and their husbands, the Corkscrews, were recognized as Reserve Champion buyers.
Frankie B. Mandola catered the event, providing plenty of sustenance for the boot-scootin' that went on as the NiteBeat band performed.
Rodeo honchos making the scene included board chair Steve Stevens Jr. and wife Kay, HLSR president and CEO Joel Cowley and wife Tammy and COO Leroy Shafer and wife Nancy. Executive committee members in the mix included officer-in-charge Mike Wells Jr., chairman Sam Ayers and event vice chairman Stephen Estes.
Among the 200 committee members and guests on hand were Ellie and Michael Francisco, Denise Monteleone, Ed McMahon, Bobbie Nau, Randee and Bob Miller, Robin Zumwalt and Mary and Jim Towsen.
Sally Flores, from left, with Ed and Mary Alice Lester at the HLSR Hide Party.
