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Dallas Cattle Baron's Ball celebrates 50 years with iconic gala starring Shania Twain

The word “Iconic” proved the perfect theme for the 50th anniversary Cattle Baron’s Ball. From record-breaking auction items to headliner Shania Twain, the 2023 edition of Dallas' ultimate Western-glam party was one for the ages.

More than 3,400 patrons packed the grounds of Southfork Ranch on October 14 for the big bash benefiting American Cancer Society. Co-chairs Isabell Novakov Higginbotham and Andrea Cheek guided a committee of more than 100 hard-working baronesses (clad in gold boots for CBB's golden anniversary) and countless more volunteers to pull together the sold-out, epic event.

Attendees donning all the rhinestones, sequins, feathers, fringe, and leather in DFW filed out of party buses, limos, and ride-shares. Saddled-up cowgirls and smiling, waving Kilgore Rangerettes welcomed them to the famous grounds of the TV show Dallas, site of the first Cattle Baron’s Ball in 1974.

An exclusive VIP party, presented by Anne Davidson inside the Southfork Ranch Event and Conference Center, got the evening off to a rollicking start. Mistress of ceremonies, NBC 5's Deborah Ferguson, gave a hearty welcome and introduced Texas country-rock giant Randy Rogers Band to the stage.

Early arrivals got the first chance to sip the night's signature “Iconic” cocktail, featuring Grey Goose Essences Watermelon Basil, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and Topo Chico; and to nibble hors d’oeuvres like applewood bacon-wrapped apricots, bacon-wrapped quail, and smoked ancho pulled work with sweet apple chips and sweet potatoes.

At 7 pm, the masses arrived and the ball officially began. It was a picture-perfect fall evening to take a Ferris wheel ride at sunset, ride the mechanical bull, or mug for cute photos and videos at several different booths outside.

Cattle Baron's Ball 2023 The cowbell ringers got a workout during the live auction.Photo by Ashley Gongora

Most of the action took place inside the Conference Center, where each room was abuzz with activity. The main event was the massive silent auction. Bidders browsed and bid via smartphones for hundreds items from local retailers, restaurants, exquisite jewelry and fashion, trips, home decor, sports and music memorabilia, and more.

The casino room was unusually busy. Not only were folks trying their luck at the gaming tables, but the room was home to some of the best cocktails of the night: fan-favorite espresso martinis featuring White Rhino coffee, and seasonally appropriate apple cider old fashioneds with Angel’s Envy Bourbon.

Inside the dining hall, Vestals Catering served up a "Flavors of Texas" buffet as big as the Lone Star State: prime beef brisket, smoked chicken thighs, cheese enchiladas, Mexican corn, mac & cheese, cole slaw, vegetables, and rolls and corn bread with Dallas honey butter.

A parade of cowgirl bell-ringing baronesses signaled it was time for the live auction to begin. This year's jaw-dropping prize packages and fantasy trips included an Orlando getaway with use of an entire JSX plane (sold for $37,500); a Libertine fashion experience (endorsed onstage by co-chair Higginbotham, sporting a custom Libertine Cattle Baron's 50th jacket; the package sold for $50,000); and an "Ultimate Tailgate" with Troy Aikman and chef Kent Rathbun (sold for $100,000).

Cattle Baron's Ball 2023 Chef Dean Fearing spurs on the crowd to bid for a chefs' dinner.Photo by Ashley Gongora

Each year, one of the most coveted auction items is a wine dinner prepared by some of Dallas' finest chefs — including Kent Rathbun, Dean Fearing, Nick Barclay, and Richard Chamberlain. In a poignant moment, Fearing told the crowd of his son’s recent battle with leukemia. After wild cheers and applause at the news that he's now cancer-free, two dinners were sold for $135,000 each, bringing in a record-breaking total of $270,000.

For the first time, a Cattle Baron’s “paddle raise ambassador” took the stage to help inspire direct giving. Ava Danuser, 17, of Highland Park, battled with a rare form of bone and tissue cancer called Ewing Sarcoma. After an emotional video, she emerged onstage and waved as patrons gave from $1,000 to $100,000. If the total (including matching funds) reached $1 million, a special fund would be named in her honor. The goal was reached.

Finally it was time to head into a sprawling tent for headliner Shania Twain. Making their way across the grounds, patrons picked up “concert snacks” including Frito pie in bags, popcorn, and “Texas trash” snack mix.

“I wore my party dress tonight,” said Twain, fitting right in with the CBB crowd, in her silver sequin minidress and black platform boots.

Cattle Baron's Ball Dallas 2023, Shania Twain Shania Twain swept through her biggest hits.Photo by Ashley Gongora

VIP patrons packed the standing-room area beneath the stage to fill their social media feeds with close-up pictures and videos. (A last-minute and unevenly enforced security measure, however, prohibited credentialed press photographers from shooting photos near the stage - a bummer for this story presentation.)

Fresh off a sold-out show at Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena on her “Queen of Me” tour the night before, Twain swept through the biggest hits of her decades-long career without missing a beat. She had the crowd singing along in three-part harmony on “Honey I’m Home;” joining in on the chorus of her new song “Giddy Up!;” and yelling that famous line, "Okay, so you're Brad Pitt" on "That Don't Impress Me Much."

Remarkably, Twain was the first female entertainer ever to headline Cattle Baron’s Ball. She ended the night, appropriately, with “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!,” and cannons of turquoise confetti shot over the crowd.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Ese Azenabor, Nipa Nobel

Those who wanted to catch early Ubers home ended the night there, while those who wanted to make a late night of it gathered back inside on the dance floor beneath the Live Auction stage, where Jordan Khan's Taylor Pace Orchestra band revved up the after-party until 2 am.

Cattle Baron's Ball 2023 Dallas Sierra Jones poses with the famous Ewing Cadillac in front of a Neiman Marcus vintage CBB fashion presentation.Photo by Ashley Gongora

Among the thousands spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Megan Clark, Catherine Woodall, Jane Humphrey, Vodi Meagher, Tyler Catlett, Damian Wingate, Stephanie Fischer-Wingate, John McCarley, Judith Garcia-Curzio, Alexis Bourn-Lipsett, Ben Lipsett, Abby Muggerud, Ashton Ulrich, Shevawn Barder, Olivia Barder, Bree Dahl, Rachel Haefliger, Micheal Marsh, Chae Marsh, Hillary Hancock, Claire Phillips, Logan Vanderslice, Allie Woldert, Jean-Charles Alvarez, Jessica Jesse, Peggy Panosh, Susan Alvarez, Peter Bowers, Traci Mcguiness, Mary Ellen Young, Janis Crayvens, Katie Kennemer, Alissa Wikert, Mandy Blount, Ese Azenabor, Nipa Nobel, Katy Brooks, Kameron Westcott, Martha Greenberg, Lauren Stewart, Sharon Lee-Clark, Sierra Jones, Ilana Levy, Tina Rich, Kim Resnick, Tanya Davis, Cinthia Everett, Annie Fernández, Courtney Derderian, Jamie Charles, Jacque Wynne, Catherine Fullam, Corky Nix, Jonika Nix, Katherine Wynne, Doug Box, Paris Lovelady, Sierra Hughes, Micheal Simpson, Alley Murchison, Beth Albright, Salvator La Mastera, Austin Phillips, Steven Safra, and Alex Hicks.

Cattle Baron’s Ball is the premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in North Texas, and has raised more than $93 million since its inception in 1974. The 2022 event alone raised $4,170,617.

The ball is the largest single-night fundraising event for cancer research in the world.

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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

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