Junior League of Fort Worth cowgirls up for 2026 Grand Entry Gala

Rachel Navejar Phillips, Treasure Maddox Hannah, Elaine Agather, Ashli Blumenfeld, Lorene Agather, Kristen Kilpatrick Snow, Rose Alvarez, and Todd Blumenfeld. | Photo by Canon Elizabeth Photography

Before the Junior League’s annual “yelling and selling” (of rodeo programs) started, the organization ushered in the 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo season at its 14th annual Grand Entry Gala.

Hundreds of guests, dressed in their Western-chic best, descended on the red dirt of the Will Rogers Coliseum on Saturday, January 10 for an evening of dining, dancing, and celebrating rodeo season.

Vivian Bailey and Leigh King served as 2026 event co-chairs, and Rozanne and Billy Rosenthal, Madolin and Ben Rosenthal, and Ashli and Todd Blumenfeld were honorary chairs.

Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush served as the first-ever Grand Entry Ambassadors (but were not in attendance).

Shay Gipson, JLFW president, and Kendall Riddell, JLFW fund development vice president, welcomed attendees from stage and underscored the impact of JLFW’s mission.

Guests dined on cuisine from Fort Worth favorite Reata, and tried for chances to win raffle prizes.

Evan Felker of Turnpike Troubadours performed with his solo band as the event’s headliner. He kept guests dancing the night away and even treated them to a few encores.

Gala funds raised benefit the Junior League of Fort Worth, whose mission is to promote volunteerism, develop the potential in women, and improve the lives of women and children in the community.

Junior League continued its partnership with the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo by selling official rodeo programs throughout the event, which ran January 16-February 7, 2026.

A who’s who of Fort Worth philanthropists, civic leaders, and Junior League leaders and members in attendance at the gala included Lorene Agather, Elaine Agather, Charity Aughinbaugh, JT Aughinbaugh, Sasha Bass, Ed Bass, Jil Barnes, Brad Barnes, Kathryn Carter, Matt Carter, Debbie Head, Albon Head, Lee Henry, JJ Henry, Laura High, Kirk High, Ashley Holaday, Bryan Holaday, Paige Homan, Matt Homan, Rachel Navejar Phillips, Edward Phillips, Kristin Saarloos, Kirk Saarloos, Katie Stadler, Matt Stadler, Jennifer Williamson, Philip Williamson, Whitney Wynne, John Wynne, Treasure Maddox Hannah, Kristen Kilpatrick Snow, Rose Alvarez, Bill Sims, Peggy Sims, Katy Sims, Jarrod Sims, Aylnn Mullins, Tiffany Payan, Margaret Harper, Teighlor Mays, Cydney Thornton, Jenalee Dreibelbis, Kaitlin Kerr, Chelsea Brown, Nikki Gradoville, Brittany Needler, Riley Tillman, Ann Marie Reep, Catherine Rash, Christina Rangel-Bautista, April Escamilla, Abigail Offenbaker, Caroline Grace, Ashley Shea Stella, Kate Peterson, Brittney Williams, Ashley Hanson, and hundreds more.

Grand Entry Gala 2026 | Photo by Canon Elizabeth Photography

Rachel Navejar Phillips, Treasure Maddox Hannah, Elaine Agather, Ashli Blumenfeld, Lorene Agather, Kristen Kilpatrick Snow, Rose Alvarez, and Todd Blumenfeld.

Grand Entry Gala 2026 | Photo by Canon Elizabeth Photography