Lined with flickering tiki torches when eventide fell upon the banks of McGovern Lake, the urban landscape around Hermann Park dissolved into a tropical luau that defeated any threats of rain on Thursday. Mother Nature knew better than to encroach on the plans of an attractive young professionals posse with penchant for keeping these grounds verdant.
The 300-plus handsome surfers in Bermuda shorts and fetching wahines in sun dresses were greeted with colorful leis as they joined Urban Green's "Hula in Hermann Park." Party chairs Cassie Detering, Megan Kaldis and Bridget and Gabe Vick threw a Polynesian soirée that ushered many fresh faces and scores of pretty young things to this popular yearly event.
No details were spared in the preparations. Cocktail tables dressed with pineapples and florals; Batanga's whole-roasted pig with grilled pineapple, coconut milk, mango and habanero peppers; Dripping Springs Vodka's mai tais garnished with cherries and umbrellas; surfboards and beach balls as décor — aloha!
A one-week trip for two to Zarautz, a town on the Basque coast of Northern Spain, donated by Good People Surf, earned top dollar.
Add pedal boat rides at dusk and Smilebooth's hilarious animated GIFs — what else would you want?
DJ Mav knew just how to get the this assemblage to the al fresco dance floor, located conveniently adjacent to the silent auction. Among the many enticing items up for grabs, it was a one-week trip for two to Zarautz, a town on the Basque coast of Northern Spain, donated by Good People Surf, that earned top dollar.
Saint Arnold Brewing Co. and Pisco Portón's cucumber-infused cocktails did their part in keeping this crowd in good spirits while bites from BlackFinn American Grille, Molina's Cantina, Adair Kitchen and Raising Cane's hit the spot.
Saying mahalo to executive director Doreen Stoller, development director Meghan Miller and marketing manager Adrienne Saxe for this beachy gathering were Nic Phillips, David Rassin, Carey Kirkpatrick, Eliza Wright and Brandon Lauderdale, Kristen and Brett McDanald, Kevin Dewhurst, Cynthia Conner, Catarina Cron, Sonia Soto, Jenn Char, Susan Daker, Liam Bonner, Andrew Borches, Catherine Bradley, Brittany Sakowitz, Bryan Moreno, Frank Javier, Berlin Nicholas and Jason Griffin and Sharon Noel.
Pedal boats at dusk added to the tropical ambiance.
