Spring wildflowers, dancing beneath the celebrities, and a donkey within the combine?
Simply one other enchanted night on the Houston Arboretum & Nature Middle’s Alfresco Gala, the place greater than 400 company embraced the nice outside — florals, fried hen, and all — to have fun 50 Years of Volunteers.
Dubbed “Little Occasion on the Prairie,” the affair honored the invaluable serving to palms who’ve supported the arboretum’s mission throughout 5 a long time. From main Tyke Hikes to elevating a glass at Tapas on the Trails, these volunteers have helped nurture the Arboretum’s function as a treasured city wilderness escape and a studying lab for all ages.
The night time’s tally? A really inexperienced $450,000 raised for training and conservation applications.
Co-chaired by Lucie Harte Arnoldy and Daniel Arnoldy, the fundraiser sprawled throughout the Nature Middle Courtyard and Garden, morphed into an earthy-chic ceremonial dinner that saved issues relaxed however refined. Suppose curated picnic vibes.
Musical leisure got here courtesy of native favorites The Spiffingtons, who turned the prairie right into a dance flooring beneath a star-lit sky. In between spins and steps, company took half in guided night time hikes with Arboretum employees, discovering the paths in a brand new (moon)mild. The juxtaposition of music, nature, and exploration felt very Houston meets Midsommar, however in a great way.
For a dose of glamour-meets-gimmick, Curadora’s on-site hat bar was successful, the place attendees custom-made fashionable toppers with ribbons and feathers for that completely customized prairie couture. And sure, there was a stay donkey picture op full with hay bales — as a result of nothing says “rustic class” like a four-legged get together crasher with a powerful selfie recreation.
High supporters included Marilyn and Harry Kirk, Carrie and John Hays Compton, Kirkland and Ellis LLP, and Moonshot Compost, including company and neighborhood heft to the night’s mission.
Amongst these absorbing the night time had been Kris and Elisabeth Larson, Councilmember Sallie Alcorn and George Alcorn, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher and Scott Fletcher, Kelly Younger, and Sarah Flournoy and Don Verser. Additionally noticed had been arboretum board members and longtime advocates together with Betty and Steve Newton, Jenn and Allen Rustay, Gigi and Ernie Pekmezaris, Amy and Leyton Woolf, Tiffany and James Melchers, Ruth and Dan Flournoy, and Marilyn and Harry Kirk.
