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For seven decades, Jewel Charity Ball has been Cowtown’s premiere annual gala attracting big-name philanthropists, city leaders, and local celebrities to the event. Regardless of what else might be going on in Fort Worth — George Strait could be playing Dickies or TCU could be in the Rose Bowl — when it’s the night of Jewel Charity Ball, it is the place to be.
So, we were a little surprised to discover the 2025 edition, which took place this past Saturday, was the first to have a Texas theme — “The Sky’s the Limit,” an ode to the beauty of the Texas sunset — and suggested attire that leaned into the West: Boots, Bling, and Black Tie. In other words, the dress code wasn’t a stretch for the average Fort Worthian.
Thus, as it’s seen countless times before, the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall at Will Rogers Memorial Center was chock full of beaver felt hats and alligator boots as Jewel Charity celebrated its Angel Donors with a delectable buffet, silent auction, open bar, and live music from the Steve Miller Band.
Sticking to the Texas theme, the first course included a Texas Wedge Salad with toasted pecans and dried apples, fried-green tomatoes with mango-habanero aioli, and caviar-topped deviled eggs. The dinner buffet had a surf and turf selection of smoked beef tenderloin with chimichurri; a shrimp, scallop, and grilled lemon skewer; grilled asparagus and red bell peppers; and Hatch green chili grits (Hatch is indeed in New Mexico, but we’ll let it slide). The chef action station included salt and pepper-crusted tomahawk steaks with flambeed whiskey barbecue sauce and garlic and chili ribeye steaks for those who prefer the bone out. And the event didn’t skimp on dessert, either, which included a selection of Texas sheet cake bites, banana pudding shooters, rhubarb-strawberry crumble tarts, and pecan pie bars. Nationally recognized cover band, The Miami Project, provided tunes during the meal.
Following dinner, attendees weren’t shy about hitting the dancefloor to cut a little rug to the hits of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted Steve Miller Band. The group’s high-energy set included the Billboard-topping tunes “Space Cowboy,” “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Take the Money and Run,” “The Joker,” and “Jet Airliner.” For those less inclined to dance, the event also included a scrumptious bacon bar, silent auction, and a jewelry pop-up by Collections Fine Jewelry, which donated 10% of all sales to Jewel Charity’s beneficiary.
Fort Worth Magazine was also on hand to capture special moments with our magazine-cover photo booth. For those who had their photo taken, the images have been professionally color-corrected to ensure you receive an image of exceptional quality. Feel free to browse the gallery and download your photos here.
The ball, which benefits Cook Children’s Medical Center, uses proceeds from the event to provide for the health and well-being of patients at the children’s hospital. Guests of the annual gala are made up of donors who contributed anywhere from $3,000 to $500,000+ to Jewel Charity.
In addition to ticket sales, Jewel Charity also raises over $400,000 annually in auction and raffle ticket purchases, whose prizes include luxury cars, fine jewelry, and trips abroad. To date, the Jewel Charity Ball has raised over $83 million for Cook Children’s since the charity’s inaugural gala in 1954.
