10.10.2019
As September came to a close, so did the third annual Hope Fest: Live from Harwood 2019. Over 600 guests danced the night away at Happiest Hour to their favorite country classics by the Ray Johnston Band and headliner Wade Bowen.
Proceeds from Hope Fest will benefit four local nonprofits: Cornerstone Achievement Center, Connecting Points of Park Cities, The Huckleberry Foundation, and The Bowen Family Foundation. The evening was an outstanding success, welcoming more guests and sponsors who collectively raised $262,000 and counting! This brings the total that Hope Fest has raised to over $750,000.
Hope Fest’s success would not have been possible without the support of its amazing sponsors. With almost 40 business and individual sponsors, this year’s Hope Fest had more support than ever before. Special thanks to our top sponsors: Harwood International, The Tot, The Lynch Family, The Rogers Foundation, Sewell, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, Jim Beam, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, US. Foods, BancorpSouth, Fountain Residential Partners, and Frost Bank.
Drinks were flowing throughout the night, including the signature cocktail of the evening – a beautiful light pink drink called High Hope. Spirits were high, too. The Ray Johnson Band opened the night and coaxed fans to the dance floor. As couples twirled and two-stepped, the band even came down into the crowd to join.
VIPs mixed and mingled in an exclusive cooled tent complete with a VIP cocktail bar and elevated eats from Happiest Hour. The full barbecue spread and pig roast satisfied appetites along with Happiest Hour’s irresistible, over-the-top mac ‘n’ cheese bar.
Later in the evening, Hope Fest founders Katelyn and Oliver Barbier-Mueller took the stage to tell the story of Hope Fest’s beneficiaries. A short showcase film played as a beautiful reminder of what the whole night was really about, they also introduced the evening’s surprise headliner, Wade Bowen.
Throughout the night, guests placed their raffles hoping to win some of the unbelievable prizes. A lucky few won the night’s raffles, taking home everything from a Private Chef and Sommelier experience from Dolce Riviera to a vacation in Cabo San Lucas.
Partygoers lingered at Happiest Hour even as Hope Fest came to a close for an after-party under the stars.
If you couldn’t make it this year, keep an eye out for next year’s Hope Fest. Click here to subscribe for updates and follow @harwooddistrict on Instagram to keep up with everything going on in the District!
Hope Fest 2019 Thank You from Harwood International on Vimeo.