SMITH COUNTY — The Cattle Barons' Gala, a huge fundraiser known for its relaxed country vibe, will take place on June 16 with games, Tex-Mex food, auctions and a concert by country star Easton Corbin.

The gala raises money for the American Cancer Society, and tickets are available here.

In a joint statement gala co-chairmen Justin Armstrong and Jeremy Cozad, said the gala is an opportunity to "celebrate those who have conquered cancer, reflect on those who have been taken too soon and raise funds for research and support."

Now in its 31st year, the focus remains raising awareness and funds for cancer research and support.

"Our motivation for humbly accepting the honor of co-chairing this event is our friends and family touched by this disease and the urgency we feel to help find a cure," the men said in their join statement. "In keeping with our 2018 theme, “Southern Raise, Southern Strong," we salute those who have fought cancer and those who are on the journey alongside them. The party is fun, but the purpose is to find a cure. We long for the day that cancer is defeated."

The honorary chairwoman for the gala is Amanda Jones of Tyler, a cancer patient. The Cattle Baron's Gala also recognizes a Li'l Wrangler, a child who has faced or is facing cancer. This is year's Li'l Wrangler is Jase Curtis, the 5-year-old son of Shauna and Jarod Curtis. Each year, volunteers host an event for the pediatric oncology patients.

The gala will take place beginning at 7 p.m. at the Texas Rose Horse Park, a complex at Texas Highway 110 north near Interstate 20, that houses the Brunson Equestrian Center. Gala events take place in a covered show arena and tents that are air-conditioned.

Country music star Easton Corbin will be the night's music headliner.

Corbin has had two No. 1 singles and seven Top 10 singles including "A Little More Country Than That," "Roll With It," "Lovin' You Is Fun" and "Baby Be My Love Song"

Tickets cost $200 and can be reserved online at tylercattlebaronsgala.org or by calling 903-597-1383.

Tickets to the Baron's Reception cost $300. The reception starts at 6 p.m. and will include music by the Tyler Dudley Band and access to the midway and some of the food stations before doors to general admission guests arrive.

THE SCHEDULE

6 p.m.: Baron's Reception
7 p.m.: doors open
7:30 p.m.: opening reception
7:45 p.m.: BlackHawk performs
9:15 p.m.: Live auction
10:15 p.m.: drawings for Hall Buick/GMC and Susan Robinson Fine Jewelry
10:30 p.m.: Easton Corbin performs
12 a.m.: After party with music by Tyler Dudley Band
FOOD

Cuisine by 1836 Texas Kitchen and Villa Montez.

Southern Classics: tamales with gravy, Zane’s mac ‘n cheese bar, pimiento cheese, ham spread, pickled okra and black currant jam. Staples of the Deep South: Nola-style shrimp, chicken jambalaya rice, mini biscuits with honey butter, green chili Grits, Tabasco-pickled onions and collard greens.

Tex-Mex Heritage: carne asada tacos, grilled chicken tacos, veggie tacos, chips and salsa, sour cream, cilantro and onion, tomatillo salsa, chile de arbol salsa and crawfish queso. Smokehouse Heritage Traditions: Stanley’s smoked chicken; Stanley’s brisket, potato salad, coleslaw, spring mix salad, sweet hot pickles and bread.

Southern Finishes: sweet potato bread pudding, tres leches bites soaked with cappuccino, seasonal fried fruit pies and whiskey-raisin rice pudding. Late Night Snacks: chicken biscuits.

ENTERTAINMENT

The band BlackHawk will perform at the Barons' Reception. The band's debut album in the 1990s produced the hists "Goodbye Says It All," "Every Once in a While," and " I Sure Can Smell the Rain."

The Tyler Dudley Band will take the main stage after Easton. The singer and songwriter from Whitehouse, performs throughout the area.

LIVE AUCTION

The many items up for bid on the live auction include a trip to Chicago; a red stag hunting adventure, collection of firearms; trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico; children's playhouse; a large grill; a poker night with former Dallas Cowboys players Leon Lett and Randy White; a club car. All are valued at least $5,000.

COMMITTEES

Gala Committee Heads: Justin Armstrong and Jeremy Cozad, Co-charimen, Cindy McCall, American Cancer Society senior development manager of distinguished events; Mona Taylor, American Cancer Society senior coordinator of event support.

Executive Committee: Linda Denson, Ingrid Young, Nanci Wright, Katie Powell, Jon Honea, Jennifer Gaston, Greg Ortiz, Brenda Cagle, Mike Schovanec, Terri Swinford and Wendy Farmer.

All Hands on Deck: Tomi Ellis, Jayme Fitzpatrick, Jennifer Green and Scott Herod. Beverages: Patrick Brown. Catering: Dustin Epperson and Jon Honea. Cattlemen of the Call: Shannon Glenney and Jennifer Walsh; Clays fo the Cause: Clark Hampe, Garnett Brookshire and Mitch Dunham. Decor and Lighting: Kendall Barclay, Carrie Ann Moore and Angie Tellman; Entertainment and Hospitality: Lori Coe and Christi Khalaf; Guest Support: Justin Davenport and Kaitlyn Porterfield; Hall Buick GMC Drawing: Cristi and Ryan May, Paul Ruark and Spencer Smith.

Li'l Wranger Roundup: Shelby Glover and Casey and Jonathan Oland. Chuck Wagon Gang: Belinda and Steve Short and Lynne Short. Luminaries: Tammy Lewis. Midway: Austin Bell. Night of Hope: Ashley McCain, Blythe McCain; On-Site Hospitality: Debbie Bryant. Parking: Camille Brown; Print Proofing: Kim Bailes, Catherine Hammond and Jill Spain.

Production: Evan Payne. Ranch Assistant: David Hull and Spencer Smith. Rentals: Denise Bardsley and Chalease Denson; Reservations: Tammy Lewis and Rebecca Wampler. Security: Margo Adams, Shawn Daughtry and Larry Swinford; Signs of Hope; Charlotte Epperson; Silent Auction: Brittany Blake, Deborah Bramble, Mandy Brown, Shana Collins, Paige Jadvani, Erica Schovanec, Chaney Story, Alicia Williams and Melissa Williams.

Social Media: Ro Lewinski, Kaitlyn Porterfield; Souvenir Bags: Paige McGuffey, Teal Morris and Cody Ables. Susan Robinson Fine Jewelry Drawing: Brittany Blake, Melody Dickey, Victoria Hartt, Tiffany Hawkins and Gail Wright. Teller Coordinator: Amanda Stanley; Transportation: Kevin Fowler; "Tribute to Courage" book: Diane Mezayek and Allison Moore. Underwriting assistants: Austin Bell, Paul Ruark and Dustin Wilkinson; VIP and Barons' Receptions: Carleen Dark and Stephanie Stacey.

SPONSORS

Ultimate Baron: American State Bank. Lone Star Baron: Hall Buick GMC and Texas National Bank. Elite Baron: Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System, John Soules Foods and Sanderson Farms. Diamond Baron: Clark & McCrea Law Firm, Platinum Baron: Dakotas and Lago del Pino. Gold Baron: Cavender’s, Eagle’s Bluff Country Club, Horseshoe Casino, Schmidt & Clark Law Firm, Susan Robinson Fine Jewelry and TransCanada. Silver Baron: Randall Childress, CFP/Edward Jones, Fresh by Brookshire’s, Patterson Volkswagen Tyler, Petro Safety Services, Rex Hide, The Hoeffner Foundation, Trane/Ingersoll Rand and The University of Texas Health Science Center.

Bronze Baron: Wendy and Justin Armstrong, Brookshire Grocery Co., Classic Toyota, Forza Resources, Hope Cancer Center of East Texas, Landmark Title, Mercedes Benz of Tyler, Nanci Wright Property Management & Brokerage, Oncor, R&K Distributors, Republic Icehouse, R.W. Fair Foundation, Texas Oncology and UT Health East Texas.

Oil Baron: Altra Federal Credit Union, E.L.S. Surveying & Mapping, GG Distributing, Golden Franchising Corp., Gollob Morgan Peddy PC, Hampe Law Firm and Tyler Prosthetics.

Ranch Baron: Ables-Land, Austin Bank, Bank of Tyler, The Brannon Corp., Maelen and Kirk Bynum, The Center at Grande, Christus Center for Cosmetic Surgery, Christus Trinity Mother Frances, Ross Breast Center, Citizens National Bank, Clements Fluids Management, Cozad Insurance Group, DataMax/East Texas Copy Systems, Drake Real Estate, ETTL Engineers and Consultants, Five Star Stone, Flowers-Davis, The Genecov Group, Infinity Project Management, Meadow Lake Senior Living, Casey and Jonathan Oland, Regions Bank, Southside Bank, Stonewater Roofing, Texas de Brazil, Trent Williams Construction Management, Visiting Angels, Vista Lago Partners and Walsh Petroleum.

Wrangler Baron: BBF Interests, Brenda and Dean Cagle, Caton Property Group, Chick-fil-A Broadway Crossing, Chick-fil-A Highlands Village, Enviro-Care, Fitzpatrick Architects, Leann and Dr. Greg Freimer, Jalapeño Tree, Kinsey’s Pharmacy, Kozsuch & Co., Latta Family Dentistry, Popcorn Junction, Eli Rebich, Remington Alarm Systems, Salcido Lawn Care, Jill and Steve Spain, TDI Air Conditioning, Texas Bank and Trust, Threlkeld & Company Insurance, Threlkeld Benefit Partners, EBC/A Threlkeld Partner and Wilson, Robertson & Cornelius.

MEDIA AND IN-KIND SPONSORS

Elite Baron: At Home Healthcare/Patti and Doug Mehling, KLTV-TV Channel 7, RF Aviation, Tyler Morning Telegraph and Tyler Today Magazine. Diamond Barron: FOX 51 and KETK.

Platinum Baron: EGuideMagazine.com, KTBB FM/The Team 92.1 and Nanci Wright Property and Management & Brokerage. Gold Bron: Alpha Media East Texas, ASCO Equipment, CBS 19, Camp Davis Stone and Grass, GG Distributing, Suddenlink Media and Townsquare Media.

Silver Baron:Big Oak Adventures, Judy and Gary Root, Dawn and Harry Leatherwood, Greg Stephens in memory of Bobby Stephens and Tyler Golf Cars. Bronze Baron: East Texas Smoker Co., The Lazy F Ranch, Popcorn Junction, Salcido Lawn Care and Texas National Bank.

Oil Baron: All Saints Episcopal School, Cagle Asphalt, Bob Callender Fine Art, The Cascades, Don’s TV & Appliance, Longhorn Woodworks & Supply, Mafigeni Safari Co., Republic Waste Services and Elaine Vorster/South African artist. Ranch Baron: Donna Cummings Photography, Dace Lucia Kidd, Evan Payne Productions, Pro 1 Land Services, Lucia Anastasia Reel, Steamatic of East Texas and Texi Boots.

Wrangler Baron: Cagle Auto Group, Brenda and Dean Cagle, Scott Casterline, Cole & Co., The Diner, Fresh by Brookshire’s, Michelle and Mayor Martin Heines, Liquid Dynamics Residential, Commercial Power Washing, Long’s Irrigation Co., Office Pride and Pine Cove Camps.