There is something about the Texas State Society's Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball that always reminds me of a high school prom.

Perhaps it's the comradery or the glitter and glitz or the Texas twang.

Of course, at the Black Tie 'N' Boots there are more people [a crowd estimated to be 10,000 and quite a few only honorary Texans, only about 3,000 of whom could enter the ballroom at any one time] and better entertainment and more venues [Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Asleep at the Wheel] and more food [7,000 pounds of Texas brisket of beef; 60,000 pieces of jumbo shrimp; 6,000 pounds of smoked ham; 100,000 hot hors d'oeuvres; 5,000 pounds of chickent, beef and shrimp; 40,000 pastries, and 1,200 pounds of peach cobbler]

and more elaborate props

and more prominent guests .....

which leads to longer lines [it took 45 minutes to get a drink] and disgruntled participants and less time on the dance floor, if you make it into the ballroom at all.

But what makes it most nostalgic to me is the prom photo!

In addition to 'Bevo,' the mascot for the University of Texas at Austin,

and 'Milkbone', a Texas Longhorn Steer,

Black Tie 'N' Boots is the only inaugural ball where guests can have their picture made with 'Redneck', a 2,500 pound Brahmin bull.

This has caused the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals to say, "Subjecting animals to excessive handling and temperature extremes during transport as well as a night of picture taking with attendees "riding" their backs is cruel and unnecessary" (Peter Wood, PETA Research Associate, January 17, 2001).

There were other animals at the Ball besides bulls. There were owls, falcons, and baby alligators and there was the opportunity to support the Fort Worth Zoo.

Matthew Loper purchased a stuffed armadillo.

All in all, the 2001 Texas State Society's Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball was Texas Wild.