The capacity crowd of 480 couldn't have asked for a better night than Wednesday for the Hermann Park Conservancy's annual "Evening in the Park," a splendid low-key benefit in an open-sided tent overlooking the park's McGovern Lake.

Clearly, the weather gods smiled on chairs Ileana and Michael Trevino, Susan Krohn and Patrick Gehm. Pleasant temps and gentle breezes prevailed as a genteel tableau of gents in summer suits and ladies in spring frocks gathered for cocktails at the edge of the Jones Reflection Pool. The cocktail party under blue skies provided some of the most civilized schmoozing of the season and raised $400,000 in the process.

Anne and Dr. John Mendelsohn head-huddled with Francoise and Ed Djerejian while Stacey and John Andell mixed it up with Audrey and Brandon Cochran. Looking like runway models in the setting sun were KPRC Channel 2's Rachel McNeill and Wayne Franklin.

Guests sat down to a perfect springtime dinner from Tony's, a favorite of the benefit chairs. Tony Vallone was there, even though as a guest, making sure that every aspect of the dinner was perfection, including the grand dessert buffet that followed the evening's program.

The al fresco dinner honored park neighbor Rice University with Rice grad Mayor Annise Parker doing the honors. University president David Leebron carried the torch for the Owls. Also on the program, conservancy board chair Ann Kennedy and Hermann Park 100th anniversary chair Phoebe Tudor.

The party closed with the dessert buffet and dancing on the plaza to the sounds of Julie Johnson with Spellbound.

Among the park patrons savoring the beautiful spring weather were Lori and Dan Wolterman, Ann and Don Short, Annie Criner and Campbell Eifler, Alina and Roberto Garcia, Sandy and Dr. Barney Barrett, Bobby Tudor, Y. Ping Sun, Cece and Mack Fowler, Jay Baker, Susie and Sanford Criner, Soraya and Scott McClelland, Judy Nyquist, Lorraine and Ed Wulfe and Hermann Park Conservancy executive director Doreen Stoller.