Mother Nature gave partygoers a well-deserved break from blustering summer temps for the 21st annual Treasure Street benefiting Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. With cool breezes and a festive atmosphere at Old Parkland, it was the ultimate evening to eat, drink, dance, bid, donate, and be merry — all for a great cause.
Friendly staff and volunteers outfitted in bright pink shirts greeted guests at the valet stand and handed out gourmet snack boxes for the short shuttle ride to the main event. The beautifully lit grounds boasting hues of cobalt blue, fuchsia, and violet created the perfect ambience for a night under the stars.
Upon arrival, patrons sampled an array of delicious bites, such as mini crab cakes, lobster BLTs, crispy chicken on steamed buns, and burger sliders courtesy of Parigi chef Janice Provost. Other treats for the taking included lollipop lamb chops, candied bacon lollipops, chicken- and crab-filled avocados, truffle popcorn, cotton candy, confetti cupcakes, and Chantilly cream-filled chocolate globs. In the spirit of Oktoberfest, servers carried pretzels on a stick with spicy mustard for those craving a few extra carbs between beers.
Event chair Hadleigh Henderson and honorary chairs B.K. and Mark Sloan welcomed friends and thanked guests and donors before the live auction began. Texas-based artist Christopher H. Martin recruited a few aspiring painters (aka Scottish Rite Hospital patients) to assist in creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. The colorful canvas has become a live auction staple, and this year’s treasure is appropriately titled We Love You.
A John Lannom manufactured, all-terrain hunting buggy was also up for grabs and proudly displayed at the entrance for all potential new owners to see. In past years, the custom-built four-wheeler has garnered as much as $60,000 thanks to avid outdoorsmen and the families who love them. A Pat Green-autographed guitar and vacations to Maui, New Orleans, and Denver drew competitive bidding at the silent auction tables.
Dallas’ favorite party band, Emerald City, kept the crowd on their feet performing hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas, and “Me Too” by Meghan Trainor. Those of us breaking down the dance floor cheered for an encore, and we were much obliged with “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC, “Shout” by The Isley Brothers, and “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. Revelers needing to retire their dancing shoes found solace on the upstairs balcony, complete with bar service and spectacular views of the downtown skyline.
Making treasured memories were Betsy and Richard Eiseman, Susie and Randy Courtney, John Yancey, Peyton Blackwell, André Dowd, Jaimee and Robert Slovak, D’Andra Simmons, and Erin Condon.
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation’s leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions and sports injuries, as well as certain related arthritic and neurological disorders, and learning disorders such as dyslexia. Patients receive treatment regardless of the family’s ability to pay. Since its inception, Treasure Street has garnered more than $13 million to carry out the hospital’s mission of treating, researching, and pioneering pediatric orthopedic care.
Emerald City Band at Treasure Street 2016 in Dallas
