Adventures in Time

Sky-high hats captivate crowd at 25th annual Mad Hatter's Tea

Attendees pulled out all the stops — or, shall we say, tops — for the 25th annual Mad Hatter’s Tea, themed “Adventures in Time,” at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Chic chapeaus of all shapes, sizes and themes never fail to dazzle at this boisterous benefit, which helps the arboretum’s Women’s Council fund the Woman’s Garden.

As we stepped into Ginsburg Plaza, we thought we had slipped into some kind of Alice and Wonderland dream. Tiered hats with all kinds of trinkets, toys, feathers and jewels nearly made us dizzy.

Each enormous head topper — it’s almost a misnomer to call it a “hat” — told a story, including Joani White’s award winner with miniature Titanic, hope diamond necklace and small Louis Vuitton trunk, which she carried in hand. D’Andra Simmons’ best in show boasted a mini Taj Mahal, elephants and bright orange flowers resting on a purple turban.

Steve Kemble’s giant three-tiered cake; Teffy Jacobs’ vibrant petal and arrow hat; and Faye Briggs’ cowboy hat, adorned with a Barbie and pink silk fabric, were also a trip.

We didn’t envy judges Lawrence Bock, Connie Dufner, Holly Forsythe, Julian Leaver, Daniel Winson Lewis, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Amy Vanderoef and Anthony Wilkinson, who had their work cut out for them. Once the judges got a good look at the competitors, guests gathered in Rosine Hall for a fashion show produced by Jan Strimple, live auction, and award ceremony.

Emcee Ron Corning introduced Women’s Council president and “force of nature” Sue Ringle, who reminded devotees that the organization was on the verge of setting a record for net proceeds before encouraging them to bid in the auction. She also thanked co-chairs Maggie Kipp and Shay Geyer, who wore anniversary-themed hats: Kipp wore the No. 2, while Geyer sported No. 5.

When Corning returned to the microphone, he noticed Ringle has left her iPhone on the podium. “She has a passcode. That definitely means she’s been sexting,” he said. The crowd, already loose from the bubbly, burst out laughing. Even Ringle and honorary chair Patty Dedman Nail couldn’t help but giggle.

Corning bestowed a special gift unto last year’s co-chair, Carmaleta Whiteley, whom Kipp and Geyer call “fairy godmother.”

“Lord knows you have a lot of fairies in your life, and now you have a wand to go along with them,” Corning said. Whiteley waved her blinged-out wand at the crowd before the fashion show began.

After eyeing bright spring looks from Cavalli and Oscar de la Renta, ladies bid on live auction items, including a party in the Woman’s Garden and a necklace by Shona Gilbert. Then the moment they had all been waiting for arrived, when the judges announced the winners:

Gents Top Hats: Timeless, Billy Fulmer
Most True to Theme: Back to the Future, Joani White
Botanical: Adam and Eve, Terry Irby
Most Whimsical: Roaring Twenties, Yvonne Crum
Most Elegant: Court of Versailles, Elizabeth Mendez
Best of Show: 25th Anniversary, D’Andra Simmons
Most Outlandish: Wild, Wild West, Nancy Brite Smith
Group (for the first time ever, a tie): Hollywood Glamour and Record in Time

The award winners flocked to the stage to show off their over-the-top designs. Then, finally, an elegant lunch followed in the outdoor plaza — which served primarily to soak up all the champagne that had been flowing freely.

Terry Irby, Linda Spina, Sharla Bush

Photo by Dana Driensky

Terry Irby, Linda Spina, Sharla Bush

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Dallas' biggest party

Dallas Cattle Baron’s Ball '25 fires on all cylinders with Post Malone

Photo by Nate Rehlander

Mike O'Malley, Madison Sieli

A weekend deluge tried its best to bring the 2025 Dallas Cattle Baron’s Ball to a screeching halt. But co-chairs Nina Sachse, Courtney Derderian, and their pit crew of hundreds had been working with the theme “All Cylinders” for over a year. Rain wasn’t going to slow them down now.

Neither were guests’ spirits dampened as they arrived on Saturday, October 25 to find much of the Southfork Ranch event grounds tented. Volunteers helpfully pointed out on maps which features had moved under cover. Well-defined walkways helped avoid the deepest mud puddles.

Like magic, a golden sunset peeked out in time for evening selfies in front of the iconic Cattle Baron’s Ball Ferris wheel. Not a single raindrop fell after the party began.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2025 The rain stopped in time for a perfect sunset behind the iconic Ferris wheel.Photo by Nate Rehlander

Cattle Baron’s Ball is known officially as the world's largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and unofficially as Dallas’ biggest party of the year. The 52nd edition welcomed 3,500 guests - a sell-out crowd that was noticeably younger than in years past.

That was, no doubt, in part to the 2025 featured entertainer, Post Malone. The rapper-rock ‘n roller - a global superstar but a relative country music newcomer - brought a distinctly edgier vibe to the traditionally Western-glam hootenanny. (Back to him in a sec.)

Mistress of ceremonies Deborah Ferguson welcomed early arrivals to a VIP party presented by Anne Davidson inside the Southfork Ranch Event and Conference Center. Singer-songwriter Chandler Walters entertained while VIPs noshed on sliders, quesadillas, and Dr Pepper short ribs, and got their first sips of Grey Goose Blackberry Lemonade - the hit signature drink of the night. (Although those who really knew what they were doing zoomed first to the White Rhino Espresso Martini bar in the casino before the long lines formed.)

At 6:30 pm, the masses arrived and the event revved up to full throttle. One reason Cattle Baron’s Ball is such a bucket-list ticket is that it’s a mega-night with so much to do in so many places. You could spend six hours there and miss entire rooms. Pacing and exploring are important.

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Linger too long in the Champagne & Caviar lounge inside the Mary Kay Glam & Swag room and you see later on Instagram that you missed the Neiman Marcus Elevator Gallery (featuring a replica of the iconic Neiman’s Downtown elevator). Stay loyal to the Hugo Spritz bar - your favorite last year - and find out you’ve missed out entirely on an Irish Coffee bar.

Cattle Baron’s Day is also not a good day for an Ozempic microdose. Eating all night long is key to the experience. Vestals Catering prepared a dinner buffet of salads, jalapeno tamales, macaroni, chicken sausage, prime beef brisket, and all sorts of mini desserts. Also on offer: Frito pie-in-a-bag, smoked chicken wings, Fletcher's Corny Dogs, and so much more. Concert munchies and late-night sliders and tacos helped nourish those who’d gotten a bit too Grey-Goosey in the wee hours.

As people perused the giant silent auction, bought raffle tickets, and tried their luck in the casino, the marching band from Post Malone’s alma mater, Grapevine High School, marched through the crowd to corral everyone to the Live Auction room.

Self-described “auction-tainer” Letitia Frye got the room to quiet down for a tribute to Jacque Wynne, the co-founder of Cattle Baron’s Ball who'd recently lost her own battle with cancer. "We're gonna honor our beloved Jacque Wynne and break every record tonight," Frye announced.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2025 Ethan Sanford and Nina Sanford remember their late young daughter, Ceci.Photo by Nate Relander

In another emotional moment, Dallas couple Nina and Ethan Sanford talked lovingly of their young daughter Ceci, who died of a rare spinal tumor. They inspired this year’s “paddle raise,” which brought in hundreds of thousands for ACS.

The live auction, chaired by Katy Brooks and Emily Hill, featured jaw-dropping experiences, jewelry, artwork, and many luxury trips (American Airlines donated over 3 million miles). Auctions can be tough these days; folks are holding onto their money tighter than bull riders strapped in for 8-second rides. Frye challenged the crowd to bid enthusiastically.

Some of the highest-bid items included a Givenchy experience at Paris Fashion Week (which went for $200,000) and a Carolina Herrera experience in New York City ($90,000); an excursion at Trident Ranch (two sold for $100,000 each); trips to Punta Mita ($80,000), Hawaii ($50,000), Big Sky ($55,000), and England ($40,000). A chance to play golf with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and his fiancee nabbed $20,000; and a big dinner prepared by Dallas' top chefs, led by Kent Rathbun, sold twice - first for $100,000 and again for $75,000.

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2025 Kristi Leatherman and Skyler Baty drum up support for a live auction item.Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Finally it was time to head into a sprawling tent for headliner Post Malone. For about an hour-and-a-half, he ran through his hits including “Rockstar,” “Sunflower,” “Congratulations,” “Better Now,” and country bangers “Pour Me a Drink” and “I Had Some Help,” as the crowd sang and bopped along.

Between songs, he surely broke records for the number of F-bombs dropped on stage at a Cattle Baron’s Ball. While there might have been some turquoise necklace-clutching from those not familiar with his shows, it was easy to recognize the genuine sentiments underneath the colorful language.

“I f---ing love you so much,” he said of the crowd, of DFW, of Grapevine High School, of the mission of the American Cancer Society, and of his beloved Dallas Cowboys.

While Posty barely let go of his Red Solo Cup all show, to the relief of the folks from American Cancer Society, did not smoke on stage (as he is known to do).

Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball 2025, Post Malone Post Malone with his Red Solo Cup on stage.Photo by Adam Degross

Those who wanted to make a late night of it trudged through mud, back to the dance floor beneath the Live Auction stage, where Emerald City Band kept the after-party going past 1 am. Outside as people waited for their ride shares, they snagged chicken fingers from Raising Cane’s truck (which happens to be one of Post Malone's well-known faves, too).

Spotted in the crowd were Kameron Westcott, Porschla Kidd, Jessica Nowitzki, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Kari Kloewer, Krystal Davis, David Gilberg, Nelson Beville, Courtney Gilberg, Eric Webber, Fallon Bock, Blake Griffin, David Nash, Lisa Zabelle, Brooke del Tufo, Miles Parker Trapp Danielson, Talley Pike, Daniel Fitzgerald, Anne Davidson, David Timmins, Dawn Estes, Deborah Metrick, Marc Metrick, Isabell Novakov Higginbottom, Andrea Cheek, Marjon Henderson, Lora Farris, Jamie Charles, Ian Charles, Jane Humphrey, Catherine Woodall, Lawrence Bock, Katy Bock, Max Clark, Sharon Lee Clark, Mike O'Malley, Madison Sieli, Nik Simon, Patricia Quirino, Mike McGuire, Sophie McGuire, Maddy McGuire, Natalie McGuire, Pete Foster, Tanya Foster, Kristi Leatherman, Skyler Baty, Ruby Sellers, Shannon Sneed, Brandy Derrick, and thousands more revelers and supporters.

Cattle Baron’s Ball is the premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in North Texas, and has raised more than $105 million since its inception in 1974. The 2025 totals are still being counted, but organizers say the final tally was in the millions.

Photo by Nate Rehlander

Mike O'Malley, Madison Sieli

cattle baron's ball fundraisers celebrities post malone young professionals galas american cancer society