Black Tie and Boots Ball at the Devon Horse Show A Huge Success

Devon, PA - Over 400 guests, most sporting the requested boots, danced the evening away at the 2nd annual Black Tie & Boots Ball on May 11 at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair grounds.

Upon entering the grounds, guests were greeted by Honorary Chairman Carson Kressley, of Queer Eye for a Straight Guy fame, and Country Fair co-chairman Gail McCarthy before entering a large tent filling the Dixon Oval. A portion of the tent, separated by white drapes from the rest, was set aside for cocktails, which were accompanied by a jazz trio.

About halfway through the cocktail hour, a surprise guest, Chubby Checkers, most famous for his recording of “The Twist”, arrived and he too was pressed into joining the receiving line to the delight of some late arrivals.

During cocktails, the annual award, given to the “Devon Champion of the Year, for a volunteer whose work over a long period of time has been outstanding, was presented to Mrs. Martin (Millie) Levin, who has worked tirelessly and very successfully at selling Devon’s boxes. Mrs. Levin, always immaculately turned out, is a favorite in the Devon office.

The “Country Fair Champion of the Year” was given to Lynn Rudolph, who has volunteered at Devon for over 37 years, serving on almost every committee in the Country Fair and as Senior Chairman. She is well known for her positive, cheerful outlook.

After cocktails, the drapes were parted to allow guests to use the entire tent, most of which was filled with a bandstand, a dance floor and tables for dining.

A number of food stations, offering South American style churrasacria flat iron steak, Mediterranean style chick pea crusted salmon filet and Asian style spicy crusted chicken along with vegetables and salads, ensured that there were no long lines for dinner.

Over 50 doctors from Bryn Mawr Hospital, the beneficiary of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair to the tune of over $12 million since 1919, enjoyed the dining and dancing to T. Gillis & the Nashville Edition. “Bryn Mawr was really engaged,” said McCarthy. “We got huge support from the doctors this year.”

Devon Chairman Leonard A. King and President Wade McDevitt each had a table, and tables of 10 were assigned to each of the Ball’s patrons.

Sartorial splendor ranged from traditional black tie for the men and elegant evening gowns for the ladies to various mixtures of tuxedo coats over blue jeans and boots and short skits over fancy cowboy boots. One gentleman even sported white tie and tails over jeans and boots.

Last year’s inaugural Ball raised over $50,000 and, although it is too early to know the exact figures for this year, McCarthy expects this year’s Ball to raise at least the same amount if not a little more.

Photo Credit: Devon Horse Show President Wade McDevitt (far left) and Chairman Leonard King (far right) present Millie Levine (second from right) with Champion Volunteer of the Year Award.