Cattle Baron’s Ball. Just hearing the name conjures up images of powerful Texans doing powerful things. This year will be no exception as Texas dances the night away at the 48th annual Cattle Baron’s Ball on September 17 at Southfork Ranch. This year’s theme, “Cattle Baron’s Ball: Lasso A Cure, Ranches, Rubies & Ropers,” will once again be sponsored by Texas Oncology and will feature country music favorite Old Dominion on the main stage and Chris Young performing at the VIP Party.
As always, this is a party for a cause. Since its inception, Cattle Baron’s Ball has raised more than $89 million toward the ongoing pursuit of a cure for cancer—and most of these funds have stayed right here in North Texas.
Cattle Baron’s Ball and Southfork Ranch go back a long way. But first, the ball’s beginning: In 1974, Jacque Wynne, wife of millionaire Texas businessman Toddie Lee Wynne, and her friend, Patti Williams Hunt, decided they would find a new way to raise money for the Park Cities Branch of the Dallas County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Jacque convinced her husband to host a full-fledged Texas barbecue under the stars at the Wynne family’s well-known Star Brand Ranch in Kaufman County. The event was a sell-out with 500 guests and raised more than $56,000. Another Dallas star was born.
Throughout the next decade, Cattle Baron’s organizers realized the appeal of the event as the incredibly popular television series “Dallas” piqued the nation’s interest. Prominent cast members made the annual event highly anticipated affair while they were filming the series in Texas. “Dallas” stars Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, Priscilla Presley, and Barbara Bel Geddes became informal Cattle Baron’s Ball ambassadors and beloved guests. Although Cattle Baron’s Ball has been held at many prominent locations in and around Dallas area throughout the years, Southfork Ranch has always seemed most fitting because of this star-studded connection.
When the television show “Dallas” was rebooted in 2012, the show’s producers again partnered with Cattle Baron’s to launch the show and to raise funds for cancer research in North Texas. At that year’s event, when rain was threatening the concert portion of the evening, Larry Hagman, clad in his best J.R. Ewing western attire, was instrumental in encouraging headliner Blake Shelton to perform acapella. The crowd loved it.
In the 48-year history of the Cattle Baron’s Ball, more than 100,000 guests have been entertained at the legendary event, which has become the world’s largest single-event fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Along the way, the original Cattle Baron’s Ball (there are now more than 30 Cattle Baron’s Ball fundraisers throughout the U.S.) continues to build a rich history that has drawn worldwide attention from philanthropists, the entertainment industry, and the medical research community dedicated to finding a cure for cancer.
This year, the party will continue at Southfork Ranch. The 2022 Cattle Baron’s Ball will kick off with a ticketed VIP party, followed by country music performances, a live auction, raffle, a favorite country music headliner, and the crowd-favorite midnight after-party. As usual, there will be plenty of pre-parties to get you warmed up for the big night, including fundraisers, a live auction preview party, and an underwriter’s party.
Each year, The American Cancer Society plays a key role in partnering with the 100 active members of the Cattle Baron’s Ball committee who volunteer their time and talents to raise millions of dollars annually. Sponsorships, tables, tickets, silent auction, and live auction opportunities are now available. Keep up to date with announcements, ticket information, and the evening’s entertainment line-up at cattlebaronsball.com.
