Rituals: Dancing in the Mud at Cattle Baron’s Ball

It was one week after the unexpected death of Jacque Wynne, the socialite who had come up with the idea of throwing a Western-themed barbecue to raise funds for cancer research, and the weather looked lousy for a party. Then, 15 minutes before the Southfork gates opened on October 25 to the Cattle Baron’s Ball revelers, the downpour moved on, the setting sun spilled rose gold, and a rainbow appeared.

Along with Patti Hunt, Jacque hosted the first Cattle Baron’s at the Wynnes’ Star Brand Ranch, with 500 invited guests and a handful of auction items, in 1974. Comedian Glen Ash was the evening’s official entertainment, but one guest, country music hitmaker Charley Pride, climbed onstage and delivered a surprise performance.

That night raised $56,000 for the American Cancer Society and earned the event a sought-after spot on the Dallas social calendar.

In a year full of black-tie galas, gentlemen have appreciated the one evening they can trade out penguin suits for alligator boots. Ladies, however, apply the same high-fashion focus to their Western getups, decking themselves out in beads, sequins, rhinestones, and so much fringe. No costumes—all glitz.

With Patrón ranch waters in hand, the bon ton jammed together for a raucous live auction punctuated by the clamor of cowbells. (The evening’s biggest sale was a Paris Fashion Week experience that went for $200,000.)

Partygoers then tried their hands in the casino room, touched up lipstick at makeup stations, and, in this era of social media, hopped from photo booth to photo booth.

At 10:30 pm, the crowds snatched cold beers out of ice-filled troughs and made their way to the main stage tent. Though workers had been bringing in John Deeres full of dry dirt, the floor of the makeshift concert hall was still a swamp.

It hardly mattered when North Texas’ own Post Malone hit the stage to the tune of “Texas Tea.” And it wasn’t anything Deno’s couldn’t take care of come Monday.

A woman in a fringed red dress glows beneath the ball’s red lights.

A pair of red cowboy boots stands caked in Southfork mud.

Cowboy hats fill the blue-lit concert crowd at Cattle Baron’s Ball.

A couple poses together in formal Western attire.

A mustachioed guest in a black cowboy hat faces the camera.

A guest rides a mechanical armadillo beneath the event tent.

Party shoes and cowboy boots gather in the churned Southfork mud.

Guests rest silver cowboy boots on the grille of a truck.

Cans of cold beer wait in an ice-filled metal trough.

Guests crowd around a blackjack table in the casino room.

Bright red cowboy boots stand among a row of partygoers.

A woman in a white cowboy hat raises her auction paddle.

Silver snakeskin boots emerge beneath long strands of black fringe.

A dancer’s hat and fringe sweep across a black-and-white frame.

Silhouetted guests move behind the glowing wall of a tent.

Muddy jeans and red cowboy boots mark the end of the night.