Hats on for charity

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Horses stamped impatiently at the Spokane Polo Fields on a recent summer evening. Wind whistled through the stables and a fretful rain spat at the grooms as they prepared the horses for polo practice. The grassy field, so large that 10 football fields can fit within it, sat empty beneath the graying sky.

But by Sept. 7, the grounds will be transformed as the fourth annual Tents, Hats and Champagne Cobra Roofing Polo Classic gets under way. The event is the major fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane.

Twenty-eight white tents will house fine art, gourmet food and wine, and hundreds of guests. Mike Forness, executive director of the charity, said, “You’ll actually feel like you’re in a European village for a bit.”

According to Forness more than 1,000 people attended last year’s event. “It’s the largest polo event west of the Mississippi in terms of number of guests.” Sky divers will parachute onto the field to kick off the celebration, and 14-year-old cancer survivor Abbey Silveria will sing the national anthem. Forness said, “Abbey Silveria’s family has stayed at the Ronald McDonald House off and on since 2001, when Abbey was diagnosed with leukemia at age 6.”

In addition to several chukkars (periods) of polo, the festivities will include a silent auction and an art walk. And for local businesses, the Best Hat competition means fancy bonnets are flying off the shelves.

At Finders Keepers II on West Main, Kyra Kutz said, “We got in over 200 fabulous, one-of-a-kind hats. We’re kind of the official ‘mad-hatters’ for the event.” She said big-brimmed hats with feathers and rhinestones are popular. The business donates 20 percent of the sales of clothing or accessories purchased for the fundraiser to Ronald McDonald House.

At halftime the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Divot Stomp is always popular. Guests are invited out to the field to stomp down the tufts of sod and grass that have been churned up by the horses’ hooves. Perfectly chilled glasses of champagne are served to refresh enthusiastic participants.

Music will be provided by The Two Dudes and All That Jazz, as well as strolling minstrels. Forness said several children will walk through the tents playing violins throughout the day. “They’re just awesome,” he said.

More than 200 volunteers work to make sure things flow smoothly. Forness said the event is made possible by nine corporate sponsors, 25 additional sponsors and 18 other organizations that donate goods and services.

All the proceeds from the fundraiser go to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane. “We help kids and families by providing temporary lodging and other services, so families can be near their ill children,” Forness said. The charity serves families from four states, as well as Canada.

Last year’s gala garnered more than $200,000. Forness said, “It’s meaningful for me to see these funds raised to help kids and families.”