Stephenville’s City Limits was host to a sea of bright smiles and boiled crawfish as the venue drew more than 200 to the return of the Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council’s Ragin’ Cajun fundraiser.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time,” said CTFAC Executive Director Christine Newton, who reported that the event raise more than $31,000 for the nonprofit.
Newton added that 2020 and the Coronavirus pandemic had adversely affected CTFAC as it had most nonprofit organizations as it was difficult to draw attendance and fundraising efforts.
The funds raised during the Saturday event will allow CTFAC to continue offering free and enlightening artistic events and installations.
Newton admitted that she didn’t know whether they would get to have the popular fundraiser until January, but support from the community made it possible to organize the event quickly and successfully.
“I think it turned out great,” Newton said. “Everybody was ready to get out.”
She was also grateful to her celebrity waiters who were constantly moving to fill orders in colorful costumes Saturday night. This includes the winning team Sara Vanden Berg and Lisa Pendleton, who raised more than $10,000. “They really went above and beyond,” Newton said.
These energetic fundraising efforts could also be seen in the Stephenville High School Cheerleaders who raised $827 in selling raffle tickets and junior crawfish Archer Dunnahoo, a costumed 7-year-old who took large tips for doing the worm on the dance floor and even offered to leave a table alone for a large tip.
More than $6,500 was also raised from the silent auction, which featured about two dozen prize baskets and quality items.
The entire event was kept hoppin’ by live music by Jean-Pierre Blanchard and the Zydeco Angels.
Newton thanks all the patrons and volunteers for making the night a success including the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity who helped serve and didn’t leave until everything was handled.
For more information about the Cross Timber Fine Arts Council, its mission, its galleries and its events, visit crosstimbersfinearts.org