The Cattlemen’s Ball. The event is put on through the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska, Inc and according to its event website:
The Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska is a charitable organization that moves through the state, changing locations every year, to bring awareness to Beef and to help find a cure for Cancer. The ultimate goal of the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska, Inc. is to promote beef in a healthy diet, to showcase rural Nebraska, and to raise money for health care research.
But this girl right here is mostly in love with how much so many incredible people from all different backgrounds get together to raise funds that go directly to cancer research at the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
If you’re curious, I originally got involved last year because a very good friend and fellow survivor, Laura, was assisting with the 2016 event, a lovely woman named Marieta underwrote our tickets, and I had an invite to participate in the Survivor and Patient Style Show.
Read about the beginning of our weekend in my Recap {part 1} here. And now that you’ve read that, you’ll understand who Sarah, Matt, Steph, and Jason are. We awoke Saturday morn to warm and steamy temps, enjoyed a bit of chill coffee chatting on the porch {sidenote: Sarah intro’d me to Bulletproof coffee which has butter and coconut oil in it. Bulletproof coffee = yum}, and then took a quick walk through the pasture to take in the views and get our legs moving. And then, we showered and the whole crew got gussied up for the Ball.
Because this event is not your traditional Ball, there is a wide array of attire to be found. From shorts and a tshirt to dresses for the lasses and jeans and button downs to cargo shorts and a tee on the lads, you can wear pretty much anything, it would seems, and be pretty comfortable. For the two I’ve attended, I’ve borrowed boots from my kind and stylish friend and Texas native, Leslie {because y’all, gorgeous cowboy boots cost a pretty penny!}. While you certainly do not need boots for the Ball, you know I like an excuse to theme it up. This year, I wore a dress I had in my closet — a cream lace frock from the very fancy Target. I added some big J Crew turquoise statement earriengs and called the outfit good enough.
Oh, and my hair was in its current typical Keith Urban do. Because after all, it’s hot and steamy this time of year so taking too much time to look done up is just a waste of time that could otherwise be used drinking coffee or sleeping.
The huz and I and our weekend partners-in-crime, Sarah and Matt, all headed to Lonesome River Ranch for the day and Steph and her husby met us there with their pup, Ziva. I loved attending the event with people who are familiar with and have a love for the area. It makes it such a personal experience.
It’s hard to explain how impressive it is to see the set-up of the Ball. There are tents upon tents housing auction items, dining areas, and event areas. You can purchase tickets to the Friday event as well — includes golf and dinner and additional auctions and speakers.
We met up with Steph and Jason and they dropped me off in the tent where the Patient and Survivor Style Show would take place. I had previously tried on clothes from Wynk in Hastings and Western Edge in Grand Island so I knew what I’d be wearing. After a brief meeting with a rundown of the lineup, I got changed and along with so many others, strutted {mmmmm k… sauntered?} my stuff on the runway. It’s not really my thing but it’s for a great cause. I know. You don’t believe I’d be nervous but for real, walking on a stage while people all look at you = nerve wracking.
As each participant walks, the emcee talks through the clothing each participant is wearing and also, the story of the participant.
It’s pretty incredible to participate with children and adults; thrivers of all kinds. It’s not just breast cancer patients… all different diagnoses participate. Some are undergoing treatment. Some just out. Some are metavivors. And others, walk for a patient or survivor in their life.
All vendors in the Style Show have items available for purchase in a separate tent. Other tents house the General Story, Auctions, dining, and more. I wanted to make it to the Silent Auction tent but the hubs and I also wanted to take the trailer to the airboat rides.
That’s right. Airboat rides on the Middle Loup River. $20 a person for about 20 minutes of a ride.
We waited for the ride, brews in hand, and it looked like the skies were going to open up and pour down on us. But the rain didn’t ever materialize and the airboat ride was spectacular. I highly recommend that if you ever have the chance to take one, you do it.
And then we headed over to the meal tent. And the meal is seriously delicious. Salad. Pasta Salad. Mashed Potatoes. Rolls. Prime Rib. And dessert.
The program included appearances by several Nebraska politicians including former and current Governors. A message from the Tyson beef head honcho. There were several videos shown including one of the host family and there were inspirational words and points of gratitude from “the Great 8”, the co-hosts and the main hosts.
Dr. Cowan, the head doc guy for the Buffett Cancer Center, spoke and wore a cowboy hat and everything. And then, yours truly even got to say a few words.
Okay. Not just a few. I think I could have been a little less wordy. But brevity… it’s hard for me. Working on it. But I got a chance to share with the 3000 people in attendance that my story is one that had a positive result because of the advancements in research. And I was so honored to get to be there. And to be healthy. And I cried. Of course… gosh darn it. One of these days I’ll talk without crying. Or maybe not.
After that, there was another Live Auction that included some extremely unique items like cow embryos and horse trailers and of course, some awesome Husker items.
And then, Eric Paslay took the stage. And the hubs and I got to catch up with Dr Cowan and Dr Freifeld (who happens to be my infectious disease doc for my c diff), the Evans, and more.
Oh and then, as the hubs and I headed out for a sunset pic we had the pleasure of meeting up with 3 AWESOME researchers from Nebraska Medicine and we had a few shenanigans.
And later in the night, Rodney Atkins performed in the tent where the Style Show had taken place. And the hubs and I had the chance to meet so many wonderful, kind, genuine people in between it all and at the end of the night.
And we said farewell to the Ball for another year…
Sarah, Matt, Adam, and I ended up back at the ranch… errrrrr… the farm…. errrrr… the Evans’ and we all got up and out the next morning after another morn of chatting and coffee.
I am not sure yet how much the event made for research but I do know this… it. was. outstanding. From the over 800 volunteers, the venue in breathtaking Custer County, the musical acts, the airboat ride, the hosts, and the dedication to the goal — raising funds for cancer research — it was done just right. And the biggest takeaway I had… each and every person has a connection to cancer. From parents to children to aunts and uncles and beyond… each person who invested their time and money in the Cattlemen’s Ball did it for the very best reason and that is: 4 A Cure.
