What: Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes benefiting Bo’s Place
Where: Home of Tilman and Paige Fertitta
The scoop: Houston’s fab and fashionable crowd donned their Derby finest for the third annual Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes benefiting Bo’s Place. The sold-out event for the running of the Kentucky Derby saw more than 400 supporters at the home of Paige and Tilman Fertitta.
The event, chaired by Hallie Vanderhider and honorary chairs, Megan and Luke Hotze and Hannah and Cal McNair, raised more than $350,000. Vanderhider shared her personal story of what Bo’s Place means to families, as well as the importance of their programs for those who have lost a loved one. (A nonprofit, free-of-charge bereavement center, Bo’s Place offers multiple grief support services for children, families, and adults at no cost and provides education and resources for those who assist people in grief.)
The afternoon of fab hats and people watching was led by emcees Stephen Lewis and Chita Craft, who kept the crowd engaged. Guests socialized and strolled the grounds while sipping traditional mint juleps. Entertainment included Puppy Pals, a racing wall raffle, and auction, along with a poolside game of “heads or tails” right before the Derby. (The winner received a prize from IW Marks Jewelers.)
And then, the most dramatic two minutes in sports, as the crowd gathered around the large screens to watch the Derby run. Partygoers enjoyed the scene, waiting until the 65-1 winner Country House was finally announced.
Seen in the crowd: Joanna and Brad Marks, Debbie and Mark Gregg, Patrick Chastang, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Lisa and David Pitts, Allison Lewis, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Jade and David Shine, Sandra and Ryan Staine, Jenny and Todd Abbott, Christina and Matt Altenau, Beth Wolff, Donna and Norman Lewis, Kaitlyn and Michael Scheurich, Travis Torrence and Heath LaPray, Sushma and Haresh Yalamanchili, Christie and Mark Sullivan, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Ashley and Clark Beecher, Nancy Bihlmaier, Mary and Joe Chastang, Shannon and Richard Kroger, Dana Kantalis, and Marsha and Tom Brown.
Megan Cushing and Caroline Walter.
