Friday, May 12th fare was billed as “An Evening Under the Stars.” As hundreds of guests arrived at Kathy and Joe Sugarek’s fabulous-for-entertaining home, the sun was still staying overhead preventing the stars from arriving.
Anne Besser, Kathy Sugarek and Jolie Humphreys
Well, how rude of the sun! But the guests really didn’t care. They were the 40 La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas duchesses, their escorts and their parents.
Amy Davis
Annette Vaughn
Okay, let’s get the calculator out. 40 duchesses + 40 escorts + (2 parents x 40 duchesses) + (2 parents x 40 escorts) = 240 guests. And that didn’t include folks like the evening’s Co-Chairs Jolie Humphreys and Annette Vaughn, the La Fiesta Co-Chairs Mary Hubbard and Lori Martin, La Fiesta Gala Co-Chairs Eloise Meachum and Missy Rothwell and the sponsors like Snell Ranger Rover. Adding the extra folks in, the total was around 350.
Luckily, just a house away a vacant lot was ready to accept the SUV’s and luxury cars.
Duchesses and escorts
Meanwhile, back at the Sugareks’, the younger types gathered on the right of the entry hall. With the crowd shoulder-to-shoulder, the temperature was a tad bit warm for anyone in a suit. But luckily most of these guests were in adorable sundresses and open sports shirts and khakis.
On the other hand, the older types (30-year-olds and older) headed to the library, where the temperature was very user friendly.
Backyard terrace
Clams
On the back terraces overlooking the pool and its fountains, the flamenco dancers’ heels stomped up the tempo.
Just beyond the terrace, the Omni staff had a buffet of never-ending clams, mini-tacos and salads.
Tom Hughes and Pierce Allman
As the crowds continued to grow, Honorary Co-Chair Pierce Allman arrived in fiesta white shirt sans wife Allie Beth Allman. She was home taking antibiotics for a strep throat. The hope was that she would mend in time for the next night’s gala…Jolie revealed that she would be chairing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Deb Ball in 2017. She’s an old pro at the DSOL Deb Ball. Two of her daughters have bowed at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra fundraiser…Speaking of the DSOL Deb Ball, Lucy and John McDaniel reported that daughter Caroline McDaniel was doing both La Fiesta and the DSOL. And while they weren’t able to make the evening’s event, the Beal twins — Lauren and Tasha — are also doing both events.
John and Lucy McDaniel and Caroline McDaniel
Mary Hubbard and Lori Martin
Mary and Lori were in the library amazed at their tenure. The two were downright thrilled about their year-long project. For them, the highlight of the year was the three honorees — Lindalyn Adams, Pierce and Jenny Reeves. They were in awe of how the three had the vision to start the fundraiser 29 years ago and how even now their enthusiasm was still in high gear.
Just think. When the trio came up with the idea for the summer fundraiser, none of the duchesses or escorts was even born.