The "Under the Boardwalk" fete benefiting Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital turned typical fundraiser traditions upside-down Friday night. And that was a good thing. The non-stop party featuring carnival games, a big board (with no minimum bids), the fab Nik and the Nice Guys band and Tony Vallone's take on carny food had the crowd of 550 on their feet throughout the night.

In additon to the pizzazz of the 150 young professionals who joined the party, tons of energy was generated by the talents of designer Darryl Murchison, who turned the Bayou City Event Center into a rollicking carnival setting. Loved the lighted ferris wheels, the black-and-white striped table coverings, the cabana tents, the lounge areas and all the other visual excitement.

Kudos to chairs Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein, Melissa King and Rachel and Tom Regan for orchestrating the first-ever Memorial Hermann Foundation benefit for Children's Memorial Hermann. The evening honored Philamena and Arthur Baird (both healthy veterans of Memorial Hermann's medical prowess), Leslie Alexander and the Houston Rockets and the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation.

Underwriting chairs Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Gwen Emmett and young Jay Zeidman stirred up the turnout that resulted in proceeds of close to $700,000, exceptional for a first-time, somewhat casual, event.

And now about that amazing carnival food that put Tony's restaurant kitchen to the test — fried shrimp, truffled french fries, sliders, hot dogs, chili, popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream sundaes all on the tempting buffet menu. After dinner, waiters passed milk shakes and fresh-from-the-fire zeppoles (bite-sized Italian doughnuts coated in powdered sugar). Yum!

Joining the party were Children's Memorial Hermann CEO Susan Distefano, Memorial Hermann System CEO Dan Wolterman and wife Laurie, Memorial Hermann Foundation CEO Ileana Trevino and husband Michael, Sherry and Jim Smith, Susan Vick, Suzie and Larry Johnson, Leisa Holland-Nelson and Robert Davenport, Beth Bryant and James Jones, David Arpin, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Kay and Fred Zeidman and Veronica and Daniel Schiller.