A red and white 1957 Nash Metropolitan Coupe, and a candy apple red 1957 Ford Thunderbird — plus a Cuban music trio and cigar bar — set the vibe at the 27th annual Park Lovers’ Ball, themed “Night in Old Havana.”
More than 600 black-tie clad guests partied the night away at the Hilton Americas-Houston, all in the name of raising more than $400,000 for Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc., a nonprofit that works to renovate, expand, develop, and improve that community’s green spaces.
Part of the total proceeds came from a live auction, led by Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart, which featured a Miniature Goldendoodle that went for a whopping $21,000. Other items ranged from an Africa photo safari to a week stay at Casa de Campo in The Dominican Republic.
Chairs Jennifer and Daniel Blum and Jennifer and William Swallen helmed the event, which also featured portraits by world-renowned artist, Franco Mondini-Ruiz, commissioned during the gala.
Late-night bites from Tila’s Taco Truck fueled partygoers, as lively tunes by Password kept the dance floor packed until midnight.
In the crowd were auction chairs Kelly Beth Hapgood and Natalie Crossley, Jennifer and Gordon Richardson, Caroline and Justin Simons, Mitra and Josh Woody, Natalie and Austin Crossley, Franco Mondini-Ruiz, Kristen and Josh Smith, Kami Sisson, Mike Cavender, Marc LaMond, Maurielle Laurenne, and Mandy and Rafael Diaz.
Ryan Fleck, Stephanie Fleck, Lilian Irani, Cyrus Irani.
