Cattle Baron’s: The Great Mud Ball of 2009
One internationally renowned socialite was rumored to claim, “In order to be successful, one must be controversial.” If that holds true, last night’s Cattle Baron’s Ball was the most successful Dallas charity event in history.
First, let’s all hold hands and admit that the CBB committee members are among the hardest working in the nation. They have contributed millions of dollars to the fight against cancer. They have elevated the status of the event to national prominence with 23 copycat galas throughout the country. Their efforts are to be applauded and appreciated by event sponsors, guests, and cancer patients.
Now, let’s get to what happened last night that put this CBB in the Dallas society history books permanently.
Pre-party – Despite rain and an already wet environment, organizers decided at 5:15 p.m. to proceed with the party for 3,000 at Star Brand Ranch in Kaufman, the scene of the original Cattle Baron’s Ball 36 years ago. The good news was that the “Buick-size mosquitoes” that had pestered staff earlier in the day had gone home. Way too wet for them littler skeeters.
The Weather – Thank heaven, it was not a torrential thunderstorm complete with 40-MPH wind, lightning, and thunder. No, this rain was a constant drenching type that allowed no dry spot. It was the type that farmers pray for and outdoor event chairs dread.
The Arrival – For those arriving around 8:30-ish, it made getting out of JerryWorld a snap by comparison. With Kaufman police turned out with lights flashing on the roadside, the lineup of car brake lights looked like they were waiting for free gas during the $4-a-gallon days. But everyone was patient and polite despite the fact that it took 46 minutes to go a country block. Hmm, what was the problem? Could this traffic jam be a foreboding sign of things to come? Ah, shucks, no. This is Cattle Baron’s, and it ain’t their first rodeo! Upon arrival, the valet parkers were gracious with umbrellas as they escorted guests to the edge of civilization . . . or rather to the pasture ballroom. Then you were on your own to forge through the mud of Kaufman. There were all types of mud. There was the slippery type (pictured) that had seasoned veterans as well as first time buckeroos looking like a mud-sliding Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas in Romancing the Stone. Then there were the surprise mud holes, which had some guests up to their knees in mud. There was the stuck-in-the-mud variety, in which you had your partner or an accommodating passerby pull you out. Yup, that Kaufman stuff is just downright fascinating.
As guests entered the Cattle Baron’s compound, two committee members sincerely welcomed the survivors of “crossing the pasture” and told them not to worry about tickets or checking in: “We’re just so glad you came.” They seemed truly amazed and touched to see people arriving.
Where to Go – The western town layout of the area was meticulously explained in the map (pictured) that guests received. But that plan went by the wayside once you got your bearings. The food stations with barbecue and all types of edibles had staff looking rather taken aback as the wet guests cued up like POWs in a chow line. We really can’t critique the food because it was so soggy that it appeared to be goulash. Pity the poor servers who stood valiantly by their open bars with hardly a soul stopping for drinks. It soon became apparent that the only way to survive was to seek shelter from the rain. There were clusters of people huddled together under the overhangs of the Eddie Deen’s Buffet buildings, but there wasn’t much room there. Forget the Live Auction Stage and the Main Stage. They were totally out in the open, with rows upon rows of seats that would never be used. In a quick assessment of the situation, it became obvious that the only places to go were the American Airlines Silent Auction Tent and the Andrews Tent. Ah, sanctuaries at last.
Once inside the tents the mud was still everywhere and small gulleys were developing because of a couple of holes in the tents. But leave it to the CBB guests to hunker down. Texans are wonderful people when it comes to facing challenges and they came through. The Andrews Tent became the Noah’s Ark for all types of twosomes, as well as for the live entertainment (Julianne Hough and Montgomery Gentry) and partying. Unlike Cattle Baron’s of the past, where one hair couldn’t be out of place, this group was just wet and 
wildly partying. The mosh pit for Julianne got down right frisky. MADD CFO Lista Hightower (pictured) and her husband Rick found a nice dry leather couch and settled in for an evening of people watching and music listening. . . The electric bull under the tricky fingers of its owner Jim Nolan was ridden to death surrounded 8-deep by folks just having a heck of a good time.
The American Airlines Tent was a little more sedate with people checking out real (I mean, real) bargains. It was like discovering Sam Moon for the first time. Some folks gathered on higher, less muddy areas of the tent comparing notes. Veterans were amazed at what they were witnessing. Newcomers like newlyweds Jake Decker and Cassie Evans decided to leave early because there was something about that hill that worried Jake. What hill? Yes, there was a slight tilt to the landscape from the entrance road, but no hill.
The Departure – From a distance the departing guests looked like a scene from Paint Your Wagon with mud, mud, everywhere. That hill that Jake had worried about now resembled a La Brea Tar Pits of vehicles and people. Imagine trying to get 400+ cars up two sides of a hill in a Dallas ice storm. Slip, slide, ouch! Some got oh-so close only to have the metal fence prevent them from making it to road. The autos wallowed and languished in the brown stuff. One car was so deep in the mud, its doors couldn’t open. Tow trucks backed off from getting into this mud pit, so the Kaufman sheriff called a couple of locals with tractors to pull the formerly pristine luxury Porsches, Lexuses, Cadillacs, and limousines from their mud 
baths. They worked until 4:30 a.m. before taking a break leaving 60 vehicles (pictured) still embedded in Kaufman dirt.
Quick memories: A man rising from the mud looking like Swamp Thing. . . Numerous scenes of people trying valiantly to push cars out of the soft mud . . . A wet head blonde wandering through the crowd searching for something. When asked what she was looking for, she held out a coupon saying, “My gift bag.” . . . An older couple huddling together not quite sure where their car was or even where to go to ask about it. . . A gentleman in a soggy blue blazer standing on a mound of hay with his Italian loafers in hand looking to all the world as if he were waiting for a taxi. . . Committee members wandering around dazed like cast members from Night of the Living Dead. One committee member when asked how bad the event was, snapped, “I’m on the committee and I’m getting out of here” as she sent someone to hunt down her black Mercedes. . . Hal Brierley good naturedly telling the valet parkers when his car was stuck in the mud that he would just spend the night in the car. (BTW, Brierley underwrote the valet parking for the event.) . . . Laird Fairchild, faced with the reality that his car was there to stay, helping others rescue their vehicles. Laird didn’t mind the rain and mud and in fact enjoyed the unplanned activities. He laughed that he was probably the only one at Cattle Baron’s who had earlier in the day been on a horse and tractor. Luckily Laird and his wife had made arrangements at the nearby Best Western. To get to the hotel our Good Samaritan had to ride in the trunk of a limousine with another fella.
But as mentioned before, Texans are notorious for their spirit of pitching in. Whether it was helping fellow guests push their cars out of the mud or offering rides back to Dallas, they proved themselves proud by living up to this year’s CBB theme, “honor of cowboys.”
Suggestion for next year: Backup plan!
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It was like a drunken Millionaire’s Frat Party with extra mud. The best time of my life! But like they say…piss poor planning prevents proper performance!
BIG KUDOS to all of the valet guys! Whatever company that was should be so proud of all of their workers. I had a TEAM of them pushing my car out of the mud for over an hour. THANK YOU to whoever you are!!!!!!!! You saved us…It was such a mess!!!
I’m not a CBB goer – never had the desire to go. I feel so terrible, though, for those girls who worked so hard on the party and the sponsors who shot their budgets on sponsorship. What a bummer. I’m sorry that happened!
There is a point at a party when things are not going as planned, that you raise your arms up, laugh, have a shot of tequila and just make do. I didn’t attend the event, but it certainly sounds like it could have been a blast. I wish I had been there!
The folks at Jack Boles valet were great in a really tough circumstance. Couldn’t agree more with Jamie. Poor planning by the committee (I heard they had the option to take the whole event indoors on Friday, but made a really bad bet on the weather).
The best part was the cameraderie trying to get our cars out, though. Several of us teamed up to push our cars out of the mud pit together. We were covered head to toe, but we were able to get on the road by 12:30a.
Southfork would have been a better location logistically. Star Brand Ranch (CBB Chairwoman Lalonde’s family ranch) was just not equipped for this many people and bad weather. It took us nearly an hour from exiting the highway to making it to the valet stand, only to hike through a mud pasture to the entrance more than 200 yards away.
It was my first time to attend CBB and it was certainly a night I will remember! We got there about 7:30 and it was just misting rain…had it stayed like that, all would have been fine. But then it rained, and rained heavily for a very long time, which had us walking in mud up to mid-calf. The food was great (especially those fried pickles), the entertainment was great, the silent auction was fun…and even getting stuck in the mud, twice, as we were leaving will be memorable! Thanks, valet guys, for pushing us! I’m pretty sure mud wrestling wasn’t supposed to have been a part of the evening events…but it sure was what topped the evening off!
It was my first CBB and I could tell so much time, planning and money went into the party so congrats to the committees however they should have had a back up plan for the weather. Texas weather is always unpredictable and it really wasn’t too much fun in all the rain and mud. They need to have the CBB in a better location which is easier to get in/out of.
Wow. Takes me back to other past soggy evenings of the Cattle Baron’s Ball & Wet T Shirt contest. I think cat littler is supposed to help solve that problem — but not if the deluge is fierce enough. Nice report, Sweet Charity.
Historically, the CBB has been a really fun, well-run way to raise money for the American Cancer Society. While the committee who runs this event can in no way be responsible for the weather, my understanding is previous committees knew they were not in control of the weather – thus had a back-up plan. While I suppose someone, somewhere might be interested in the fact that this particular venue was the site of the first Cattle Baron’s event – I am certain that this is cold comfort to the many people like me who at 2 am were reduced to bribing local farmers to pull them out of the mud. For all sorts of reasons, including the fact there was only one way in and out of the parking lot, this particular venue was ill-chosen from the start.
But on a more positive note, it was entertaining to see young debutantes mud-wrestle on the way to the port o potty. All for a good cause.
Next year’s Presenting Sponsors already signed: Vintage Car Wash and Deno’s…
There is no doubt that last nights’ “situation” will be brought up with potential sponsors for next year. I am sure the script will be similar to an episode of I Love Lucy. “Luucyyy… you’ve got some splaining to do…”
This was my first CBB to attend and my heart goes out to all those who planned for months for this event. You should know that this was no normal rain for Kaufman where significant amounts of rain fell. We had over 6 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. That would result in lots of mud regardless of ranch location. Thank you for your efforts and I truly hope next year is a huge success.
Where are the pictures? That will give us something to laugh about…..
It was truly the worst party I have ever been to. Although you can not control mother nature there were so many precautions that should have been taken. There were no walkways to keep you from sliding in the mud, no organized lines to turn in your valet ticket. Just mass confusion. You had to walk a city block in the mud to get to a bathroom (toilets weren’t working and there was no running water) They ran out of food in the Andrews tent at 9. The one paved ‘road’ to exit the ranch was full of parked cars/cars waiting for people and no one directing traffic. So if you did finally get your car you were blocked in. It was shocking that no one seemed to try and resolve some of these issues during the evening. I know they have been having this party for 30 plus years, but it seemed like their first rodeo.
[...] to the family photograph collage right next to my side of the bed. Downright perfect! So would you rather have been rolling in the mud ? Or here? Leave a [...]
Oh, yes. This one will go in the history books. As a limo driver, I must say it was the worst night of my life. Not only did they not let us drivers in, they wouldn’t feed us, and then when the mud pit debacle happened, insult to injury was the thought of the night, as it was generally at least 3am until any of us got to a point where we could eat anything. Add to it the fact that those “good samaritins” that were towing people out of the pits were charging about $200 a pop to get people out. Not a fun night. Our car is STILL stuck there.
@Fiesta Limos: We saw your limo still trapped with about six others late yesterday. Regarding the “good samaritan” in our post, Laird Fairchild was a first-time guest, who received absolutely no financial benefits from his efforts. As for the locals with the tractors, I have no idea what the going rate is for tractor pulls in Kaufman.
I wasn’t referring to the individuals trying to push cars out. I was referring to the guys with the 4×4s, and the guy with the Caterpillar.
I believe the real loser in all this is the ACS. I really hope SOME money was raised for them at the event. The weather was unfortunate, at best, but will give we attendees something to talk/bond over for some time to come. I was there through the whole thing, finally hub and I found our car around 10:30. The valets had attempted to move it but it was well and truly sunk. With some help from a few passers by we managed to get it unstuck (a few times) to finally get out the “back” gate just after midnight.
We were filthy and sore but made it home.
Many thanks to the great guy driving the big black stuck-in-the-mud Kohler truck!
I have to say I am very relieved that, as far as I know, no one was seriously injured. If you were in that pasture or just outside that main gate for any length of time you know the probability existed.
Quite an evening!
I’ve been before, and I’ll go again. Despite our post-3:OO a.m. departure due to mud conditions, this night was hilarious and loads of fun, if not completely unexpected. The women of the committee did an exceptional job at planning the event, then eventually accepting that the situation was beyond anyone’s control. Attitudes remained positive on their front, which led guests to see the fun that could still be had. The thing to remember regarding planning is that at the end of the day, this is still a charity. Yes, it may be the nation’s largest and with that come certain expectations; but the goal is still to raise money, not spend it. Yes, walkways could have been built; but consider the cost. …Just a little reminder that people can’t control the weather; and in events like this, all that can be done is to enjoy the memories that few will get to have.
Don’t blame the valet!! I was one of them that pushed shoved and drove cars all night long the work never stopped. I worked from 5PM and made it home at 6:15 AM the next morning not eating or drinking anything. Don’t tell me about running out of free BBQ!! After all was said and done we had to free our personal cars to make it home. Most people took it in stride but there were the few that thought we could actually do something about the situation and were quite rude to say the least. All in all it will be a night to remember
The valets ROCKED. You all did an unbelievable job in what had to be the worst of valet-world circumstances. One for the training classes.
The Cattle Barons Ball by far was the WORST well-planned party that I have ever seen…It was poorly planned from the “no plan B’ like have it indoors, duh, cars were gonna get stuck from the minute they parked in wet soggy grass that continued to get rained on, it was aweful. Alcohol and mud and pissy rich folks is a disaster. The host ranch should have seen this coming, it was a party nightmare just to be a guest and enjoy anything…from the soggy food, water dripping in on the silent auction, microphones not working for the Julienne Hough…. one crowded tent with mud everywhere…Got any shavings/hay to put down something? it took two hours to get out of the mud…poor ppoor poor You need to review this disaster and go for indoors when you see clouds in the early part of the day!!!! No one knew where to go or when anything was going to happen…it was a mess.
[...] was Saturday night’s Cattle Baron’s Ball at the Star Brand Ranch in Kaufman. (See our SweetCharity blog for a complete report.) First, insiders tell us that–unlike in years past–the [...]
No one has yet mentioned how disgusting the bathroom situation was! After one trip….I stopped drinking!
This is our 3rd year of supporting a wonderful charity and celebrating all the hard work of the Cattle Barron volunteers. To save a few hundred $’s…..I learned that driving in reverse can be “unique and fun” experience in a mud patch in East Texas and that you can actually hit 60 mph in reverse – Scarrrry!!!. I have to give a special thanks to my children for washing the SUV and my boots the next day….See everyone next year
[...] There is a fireplace in the lobby as well, and it is lit, warm and welcoming on what will soon be a historically rainy day in North Texas. [...]
[...] the SweetCharity Brownie Starflash was an early victim of the Cattle Baron’s “event” Saturday night. The camera hospital doesn’t hold out much hope for her [...]
@sjo: I’m with you–that pasture was seriously scary. I will be shocked if no one was hurt, with all the rain-soaked and muddy people trying to push cars. I saw a woman fall so hard down the stairs of the bathroom that I thought she had broken her ankle for sure. Things were dangerous out there. The valets were awesome–our sweet helper told us that he had never seen anything this bad in 51 years as a valet. He got our car up the hill, but unfortunately it got stuck at the top. Luckily, it turns out I’m a pretty good hitchhiker. At least it will be an easy story to write!
It looks like Denos has a special for 25% off a boot cleaning. They say to come quickly as the longer you wait, the more challenging it is the repair the damage.
http://www.cattlebaronsball.com/?nd=muddytrailspecial
By the way, is Vintage, Park Place or Sewell offering a discount on a custom clean?
Theme for next year’s event…..
“I Survived Cattle Baron’s 2009″
and had fun doing so!!!!
It was an evening to remember, and to laugh at now.
Never been before this year, and had a blast. One can not blame anybody except Mother nature and she won this one.
Left my car, came back the next day, paid $125 to get it out and went home laughing.
All in all a great night and the valet guys ALL deserve a raise. They were pushing Hummers out of there. Thats how bad the mud was.
Just got back from Deno’s — saw one woman hauling in two pairs of mud-crusted boots. Deno’s is going to be cleaning boots ;till the cows come home. Anyone need to come use my outside doggie shower, come on over!
BEST PARTY I’ve been to in AGES!!! Who knew Dallasites could come together in a monsoon and STILL party all night long. I thought the food was FANTASTIC…the drinks were strong (yeah, yeah, blame the mud for all the falling down) and the guests were in a great mood. Mother Nature is a fickle old broad, so KUDOS to Katherine Lalonde and her committee. This is one for the record books. I loved every minute of it!!!! By the way, my 1967 Eldorado came out of the muck like a champ. With a kind boost from the great guys with Jack Boles!!!
Kudos to the Cattle Barron’s Ball Committee many, many years ago that that had the foresight to have a backup plan, and to move Ball indoors to Fair Park. It was one of the most fun CB Balls ever. Surely there could have been a backup plan. For sure, no one will ever forget this one!
From an old time CBB supporter…..
Can I ask a question?: Why wasn’t the event postponed until the FOLLOWING weekend?
By the way, I am already committed to being a sponsor again next year. No question about it. I have a feeling they will more than make up any lost donations. This is a great organization that has raised a BOATLOAD of money over the years. A little rainstorm throw these dynamic ladies off track??? I don’t THINK so!!
This entire conversation is quite excellent with wonderful input.
@steve casey: Your memory bank is working in overtime. Despite the fact that many questioned the way-back-when organizers about moving it an outdoor event indoors, a great time was had and both sponsors and guests appreciated the move.
@DFWMediaWatcher: Terrific question. I suspect that folks like Julianne Hough and Montgomery Gentry, as well as the various suppliers, weren’t available. It was a make or break situation. However, I am only guessing. If someone from “the committee” would like to chime in with the facts, please feel free to do so.
A big thank you to the guest who stayed on to bid our chefs dinner auction item to $50,000. Very generous under difficult circumstances.
Wish I’d been there this year. If you whiners would just remember how much fun it is to be a kid every now and then you would have had as much fun as the non whiners. LOL at the thank god there were no serious injuries lady – obviously a city girl – or worse Yankee – who’s never spent a soggy weekend at a ranch. Mud and stuck vehicles, big deal.
Alright folks, let’s put this all in perspective. Four and a half years ago, I was told “you have cancer.” Say that aloud to yourself right now. Hear those three horrible words: “You. Have. Cancer.”
Okay, now that you’ve done that, let me tell you the rest of the story: At the time I was told I had cancer, I had a 2 year old and a 5 year old. I thought I wouldn’t be alive to celebrate their next birthdays. But, because of cancer research and trial studies made possible in part through money raised via the Cattle Baron’s Ball and other cancer organizations, I am alive today. I am also a proud, hard working member of the Cattle Baron’s Ball committee. Believe me, we had an incredible party planned for you.
I understand that each of us works hard for the money that we donate to various charities. Let’s be grateful we have enough money to share with others. We were all somewhat inconvenienced Saturday night, but we are alive.
Listen folks, it’s mud, it’s ruined clothes, but it’s also a night to remember — it was special. You are one of the lucky ones to be a part of Dallas’ history and to be in a position to attend such a fantastic and legendary yearly event. Be grateful you were alive on Saturday night to witness it!!!
I know I was grateful to be alive on Saturday. I know it beats being told you have aggressive cancer, it beats sitting in a chair for six hours a week having toxic medicine pumped through a port in your chest, it beats feeling sick after the treatments, it beats 35 days of radiation coursing through my body and it beats the fear and stress of not knowing whether I’d live to see my kids enter the doors of their kindergarten.
I laughed on Saturday night and thought about how lucky I was to be at Star Brand Ranch on Saturday night, even as I trekked through the mud, laughing at the situation, carrying three beers and watching the second round of fire works explode in the sky after midnight.
When your boots are cleaned and shined (yes, Deno’s in Highland Park Village is offering a CBB muddy trails 25% discount before October 23rd) and the mud is gone from your car, I hope you will remember that your support of Cattle Baron’s and the American Cancer Society truly saves lives. If I could personally thank each and every one of you for your support I would.
The CBB committee works tirelessly to plan an event to raise a ton of money for cancer research. Stick with us (or, stick in the mud with us!) Every dollar we raise brings us one step closer to finding a cure for cancer. Let’s hope that “surviving” CBB 2009 is the most inconvenient event in your life. Jill Tananbaum
The real heroes and losers of the night were the valet fellows. They pushed many a car out. And once these cars were moving, they didn’t want to stop for fear of getting stuck again. However, the valets were working for tips, and the tips drove away.
Sounds like everyone who attended needed a sense of humor. That is usually what gets most people through the day, and the mud.
Wish I had been a fly on the wall. . er, in the mud.
I’ve been reading, flashing back, laughing, reading some more… laughing again… then was struck by something that I have to comment on…
Why weren’t you there Louise? I was… and I’m a transplanted Yankee who was also helping to push out limos, help folks through the mud, and donated my money and time to a worthwhile cause. Cancer has stricken several in my family, and my wife’s family, and we pray every day for our health and the health of others. Shame on you for using the term ‘Yankee’ to put someone down – that’s awfully narrow minded and I do take personal offense to it…
FYI, my wife and I are both well educated, live just outside of Dallas, and also own a second home in east Texas – where I’ve pulled plenty of stuck vehicles out of the mud with MY tractor, including my own truck. Being from the north has nothing to do with never having been on a ranch, a farm, or not having had your vehicle stuck – in the mud, snow, or high water.
God bless you Jill. I hope your prognosis is good and that you live a long and healthy life with your children at your side. We’ll keep you in our prayers and hope the rest will as well. We’ll also pray for Louise, who obviously is still having to live with her own prejudices… and her holier than thou attitude…
I was one of the limo chauffeurs in the mud pit. Yes, we tried to warn the police that there was trouble coming. (10PM) No, no one cared or everyone said it was someone elses problem. Could not find anyone to take any responsibility.
What did we suggest:
Bales of hay were availabel and could have been broken open and spread to at least help people walk back to their cars.
Call for tractors BEFORE one in the morning.
Stop parking cars in the bottom of the pasture when the mud was already a foot deep.
The event organizers failed to confront the problem. Many of my fellow chauffeus had their suits literally ruined in mud. Not to mention damaged limos, wrecks, and all in a year when most limo operaters are losing money. We are small business people and have to pay the damages ourselves.
Still it was a hoot for your clients to sit on the front of the limo, drunk as skunks, cheering the sliding cars on.
As far the “farmers” who showed up and pulled us out. It shocked me how ungratefull some people were. It was worth every penny to climb under those vehicles in a foot deep mud to hook up.
The Rolls sunk to its axel looked really humilated be towed by a little tractor.
Yeppie Ty Ya!
Hindsight is always 20-20 would have should have been there and done that. The day after everyone has a plan. That was not the case that night it was mass confusion at best. I will agree there could have been better provisions made for the mud but there wasn’t. But it was fun to watch everyone. And I will second the comment that the carparkers did not come out ahead tips were slim and non existent.
You tell them Jill they need to stop whining!!
Contingency Plan!!! Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed seeing many of Dallas’ finest complaining about their hair and and makeup but I now have over $5,000 worth of damage to my truck thanks to one of those local tractor drivers who decided to sling another vehicle into my truck.
CBB should be held responsible for poor planning and no oversight. Not to mention that I found my truck with the keys just sitting in it. There’s no telling how much stuff was stolen, how many vehicles were damaged, how many people were injured, etc!
#1You don’t park several hundred cars on the side of a hill when it’s raining!
#2You don’t leave the keys in just sitting in the car
#3You don’t allow locals to show up without any insurance and tow vehicles at will. Not to mention charge several hundred bucks when it was CBB/valet that parked the vehicles in the first place.
I moved to Dallas from LA a few years back and when I saw those glamorous beautiful Cattle Barons girls I thought they were the original snooty pants club and no way would I fit in there! Then my dear friend Katherine LaLonde agreed to chair the event this year. She invited me to get my camera out and do the launch video and I thought this will be great I’ll get to interview “those” girls. But I was in for a big awakening and a change of perspective. This is truly an amazing group of dedicated women working tirelessly to find a cure for cancer….and they mean it!! This one event has raised over 40 million dollars for cancer research. into every life a little mud will come but with these girls on the case maybe one day our children will not be faced with the possibility of cancer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9bYtjL8bsk I admire and am grateful to you all.
I guess Jill Tananbaum puts it in the proper perspective. I was upset because my wife and her mother were out there stuck in the mud, not getting home until 4:30 AM. Of course when they called me at 12:30 to tell me the problem I also could not sleep worrying about them. However the bottom line is finding a cure for cancer. What nobler a cause could there be even with ruined suits and cars?
Still wish they had changed the location.
We had friends who attended this event and they sent me this link. As an event planner, this falls all on the party planners or the committee.
There seems to be a lot of “I feel sorry” or “I feel bad for the planners…”. You know what? This wasn’t a birthday party for a 6 year old. This was a BALL. If I were a sponsor, I’d be royally upset. When you are a sponsor, you are paying for advertising. They did not get what they paid for. As a sponsor, I’d be asking for a refund or at least half my costs in sponsorship refunded.
Although, it was nice to hear that most of the people attending had a nice humor about the event, I’m more concerned about responsibility. The planning committee failed miserably in planning this event. No doubt, they have significantly hurt future sponsorship & attendence.
If there were sponsors from large companies like American Airlines, they have marketing budgets just like a bunch of other companies. I’m sure the ROI on this event was horrific and I am sure that this event has put some of those on the marketing staff of sponsors in hot water. Those are the people I feel bad for. In this economy, many of those people could very well lose their jobs. It was the responsibility of the planning committee to ensure the viability of this event. They are the ones who are responsible and should be held accountable as they are the ones planning logistics. How can someone from a corporate sponsor from out-of-state know the layout, the potential weather issues, the landscape, the hotel information, etc.? They don’t. They trust the organizers of the event.
In this case, as a sponser, this would be the very last time I would be involved with this event unless a brand new committee were involved. The event planners from this event should be fired & blacklisted in my opinion.
What a night to remember. Kudos to Katherine Lalonde and her amazing group of women for staying the course. The weather reports leading up to the weekend appeared that the ball would be fine and the rain would hold off until Sunday. But, knowing Texas weather that changed. I truly believe the ladies of CBB made the best decision at the time. Everyone wants to be a Monday morning quarterback, but keep in mind why we were there in the first place. Read the blog from Cattle Baronness – that might help put it all in perspective.
At least this CBB was memorable…
Get you cars washed, boots cleaned and get ready to support CBB 2010!!!
Seems like being a Texas event the sponsors and planners would want to have some of the many great Texas artists play the CBB as opposed to importing artists from places like Utah and such.
Best time I”ve evr had!!! Good job by all! That Juliana Hough is quite the hot!
As an Ex-Pat (I’ve lived in Santa Fe for 42 years), I loved hearing about how everybody pulled together in a trying situation! As residents of the “Nation of Texas,” that’s what “we” do, isnt it? When you secede, I’m “movin’ home!!” XOXO to all of you! Patty
Problem: How to raise additional funds for the 2009 Mud Ball? Solution: Sell “keepsake” photos of all of those drowned-rat society gals with their now deflated, cotton candy hair and their designer cosmetics running down to their knees. Just the thought of them rolling round in that mud sends me into convulsions. Priceless.
I’d like to know who all who has commented here as given up a year of their life to work for free to find a cure for cancer, or any other cause for that matter. Taken time out from their families, pounded the pavement in a bleak economy, leaving no stone unturned, and raised without the ball millions of dollars. A judgement call was made. Some brave person had to make the choice We all live the consequences of our decisions. Imagine how hard it must have been on Saturday standing at the historical site of the first Cattle Barons party with some clouds in the sky and a 30% chance of rain…. do I move a party of 3000 guests and 500 employees and stages, and auctions (much like a small city) to Eddie Deans or some other space that only holds 2500, should I cram my guests at the last minute into a space where they will not fit? Should we cancel? There were no easy options and mind you after working and planning for a year, you are emotionally whipped and wired at the same time, passions are running deep. It’s not just another event ….. and CBB is one of the few big charity events that is outdoors and casual. isn’t that one of things that makes it so special?? And even within the CBB organization, they want someone to blame, better to kick one person under the bus, than wear it as an organization. But isn’t an organization a group of like minded individuals? How will you recruit other chairs if you don’t stand behind your loyal sisters in a difficult moment like this? Won’t your donors be more supportive if you show the kind of character it takes to do the job and make tough decisions where outcomes are uncertain?
“The few who do are the envy of the many who only watch.”
So sit back behind your computers, or on your couches or at lunch gossiping with your friends and make your judgements, but when the final judgement comes I know someone who will be in the front of the line and that is Katherine LaLonde
And one more factor to consider when this decision was made, you understand that the more money you spend, the less money makes it to the cause, and that a last minute move would have been big money. My experience is that donors like/respect people who are responsible and judicious with their money and make sure it gets into the hands of those intended. Again good job Katherine. Stand proud!!!!!
I agree 100% with CBB 2009 Fan!! That was the best decision at the time live with it.
[...] enjoying gangbuster business cleaning the muddy boots of people who attended last weekend’s “Disaster in the Pasture” in Kaufman. According to the shop’s Harry Yianitsas, Deno’s has accepted a whopping 350 [...]
My first CB Ball, and I had a great time. In spite of waiting five hours for someone to pull us out of the mud. I spent two or three hours up on the porch of the old ranch house, making new friends and watching the rain pour down. The food was awesome, people were nice, hardly any harsh words said (that I know of). We did pay someone about $100 to pull us out, money well spent, if you ask me! I would suggest backup plan next year, including having someone in charge out front. No one, the constables or the valet company, seemed to be in charge. But, the show went on! CU next year!
Where is the Gift-bag pickup location?
Gift-bag pickup location–
http://sweetcharity.dmagazine.com/2009/10/07/cbb-favor-bags-are-ready-to-go-home/
[...] Sweet Charity blog and Mr. Sweet Charity blog have been all over the mess that was last weekend’s Cattle [...]
[...] check SweetCharity: I’m sure Jeanne will have even more great details about the night and all the glitterati of [...]
saturday afternoon, one week later, we just drove by the site of the disaster on the way to CCL, looks like a mud bomb exploded. trash everywhere, cars abandoned, stage, props and tents still up. i guess theyre not going to clean it up till it dries out? Looks like dallas moved out to the county, had a party and forgot to pick up their beer cans.
[...] we posted footage of the waterlogged to-do here, and you can find a great, feedback-laden writeup here, on D Magazine’s Sweet Charity blog. When Stephanie Anderson wrote me recently about the Oct. [...]
[...] can tell you that they are gearing up to support the annual effort despite this past year’s issues. Let’s just see if Kristi and the girls can’t beat all records in 2010. You go, gal [...]