The American Cancer Society held its annual Cowford Ball on April 5 at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds to raise funds for cancer research and its children's cancer programs. The event took guests back to the wild, wild West, from the horse-drawn wagon that transported them from the parking lot to the ball saloon-coordinated by the ACS event committee and PRI Productions-set up within the fairgrounds.
Once guests came through the saloon doors, female entertainers in their best saloon attire, including silk-and-lace dresses and brightly colored feathers in their hair, greeted them. Cowboy Mike also said a special hello with a festive crack of his whip.A trading post was created from a wagon train loaded with silent-auction items. The live-auction area was set up with chairs covered in burlap bags and tied with straw bows. Items on the auction block included trips to Ireland, Antigua, and Napa Valley, and luxury jewelry.
Executive Food Service and its award-winning chef Larry Grosshans, a graduate of the country's most prestigious culinary arts school-the culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park-served a variety of country starters. Choices included "cowboy" cannolis, baby pork biscuit wraps, south-of-the-border tequila watermelon, and BBQ baby back riblets.
When the dinner bell rang, guests headed into the main dining area, where brightly lit campfires and large yellow sunflowers decorated the tables. The walls were draped with backdrops of sunsets, complete with silhouettes of cowboys and horses and even a western town. Guests loaded up on their favorite salad fixings before sampling the buffet of chili, campfire veggies, smoked chicken and Circle CB Ranch NY steak, among other options. Fudge sundaes and brownies rounded out the meal.
The evening continued with entertainment from Jerry Jeff Walker, composer of the hit song "Mr. Bojangles," and other musical acts by provided by East Coast Entertainment, including Ron Davis of the One Man Band. The event wrapped up with guests hitting the gaming tables to try their luck.
Once guests came through the saloon doors, female entertainers in their best saloon attire, including silk-and-lace dresses and brightly colored feathers in their hair, greeted them. Cowboy Mike also said a special hello with a festive crack of his whip.A trading post was created from a wagon train loaded with silent-auction items. The live-auction area was set up with chairs covered in burlap bags and tied with straw bows. Items on the auction block included trips to Ireland, Antigua, and Napa Valley, and luxury jewelry.
Executive Food Service and its award-winning chef Larry Grosshans, a graduate of the country's most prestigious culinary arts school-the culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park-served a variety of country starters. Choices included "cowboy" cannolis, baby pork biscuit wraps, south-of-the-border tequila watermelon, and BBQ baby back riblets.
When the dinner bell rang, guests headed into the main dining area, where brightly lit campfires and large yellow sunflowers decorated the tables. The walls were draped with backdrops of sunsets, complete with silhouettes of cowboys and horses and even a western town. Guests loaded up on their favorite salad fixings before sampling the buffet of chili, campfire veggies, smoked chicken and Circle CB Ranch NY steak, among other options. Fudge sundaes and brownies rounded out the meal.
The evening continued with entertainment from Jerry Jeff Walker, composer of the hit song "Mr. Bojangles," and other musical acts by provided by East Coast Entertainment, including Ron Davis of the One Man Band. The event wrapped up with guests hitting the gaming tables to try their luck.
A guitar wrapped in barb wire and the sheet music to \"Back in the Saddle Again\" conveyed the evening's theme.
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A guitar wrapped in barb wire and the sheet music to "Back in the Saddle Again" conveyed the evening's theme.
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A rubber chicken roasting over a campfire was one of the centerpieces in the dining room.
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The main dining area was draped with sunset backdrops and featured bouquets of sunflowers on each table.
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Signage and a bouquet of sunflowers indicated the beginning of the buffet.
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A western scene was set up for photo opportunities.
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A wagon train, complete with big red wheels and hay barrels underneath, displayed the silent-auction items.
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Chairs in the live-auction area were covered with burlap bags and tied with straw bows.
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The façade of an old western town square lined one wall of the space.
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Even the ladies' bathroom was decorated to go with the event's theme.
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