“Dancin’ and Diamonds” was the theme for Saturday’s 13th annual Western Fantasy gala and guests could indulge in some of each, two-stepping to the music of country music headliner Trisha Yearwood and panning for gold with the chance to win jewelry donated by Hyde Park.
While the 1,360 guests who duded up in boots, hats and fringe descended on the National Western Events Center to have fun, they also raised awareness and money for Volunteers of America, Post-News Charities and CW2 Gives, funds of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. Sharon Magness Blake, gala founder with Jean Galloway, said one-third of VOA’s operating budget comes from funds raised at the gala, which brought in $1.1 million in corporate and table sales prior to Saturday. The event has raised $14 million since its inception.
Adding some fun to the live auction portion of the evening, singer Yearwood made the winning $35,000 bid on a 2007 Superbowl package to Miami. Her tablemate, Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, aided her efforts by signaling to auctioneer Ernie Blake that she was bidding.
A surprise auction item came from entertainer Lee Greenwood, who donated a Cannonball saxophone that he got in Denver last year. Greenwood said he bought the instrument after slipping on stage when he was here and damaging his usual saxophone. His original sax is now repaired and the Cannonball brought in $15,000 for VOA, almost four times what he paid for it.
Among the honorees Saturday was Dean Singleton, chairman and publisher of The Denver Post, who received the Humanitarian Award. Singleton represents “business at its best,” Bryan Pulte said in presenting the tribute.
The publisher said he was “honored and humbled” by the award.
Also recognized were five astronauts, including Boulder native Scott Carpenter; Charlie Duke, who was the tenth man to walk on the moon; and Bruce McCandless, Brian Duffy and Dan Brandenstein, who are currently working with Lockheed Martin.
