HATS OFF
Hats, Heart and Horseshoes Derby Party For Bo’s Place
By Jennifer Roosth Photography by Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
THE SETTING: The Houston Polo Club was the perfect setting recently for the fifth annual Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes event benefiting Bo’s Place. The green fields and the polo horses watching from their stalls made this year’s event extra special after last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic. With social distancing protocol in place, over 250 supporters were excited to be dressed in their finest attire to watch and celebrate the running of the Kentucky Derby.
THE STYLE: The fabulous hats and beautiful dresses, made for perfect people watching as tables were scattered under many tents. Guests socialized throughout the grounds, sipping traditional mint juleps and nibling on lite bites. Puppy Pals, a racing wall raffle, and purchasing a rose for a friend kept the crowd busy until post time. Multiple large screens gave all the guests a perfect view to watch the race. As the race got close to the finish line, many people started standing and cheering at their tables to see Medina Spirit win the race.
THE PURPOSE: Mary Beth Staine, the executive director of Bo’s Place, said, “Bo’s Place helps families who are grieving in their journey to find a renewed hope for the future.” Chairs Alissa and Kevin Maples, Millette and Haag Sherman, and Christie and Mark Sullivan, along with Honorary Chairs, Paige Fertitta, Megan and Luke Hotze, Hannah and Cal McNair, Hallie Vanderhider, and Kelli and John Weinzierl were thrilled to raise over $280,000 for grief programs at Bo’s Place.
