Donning their finest cowboy boots and blue jeans, a sold-out crowd of 550 joined the Anaheim Ducks at the House of Blues Anaheim for the “California Country”-themed Anaheim Ducks Center Ice Party in support of Orangewood Foundation.
The swoon-worthy Ducks players performed a line dance to “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus. Partygoers, Ducks rinkside reporter Kent French, Orangewood’s auxiliary member Kimberly Kirksey and Ducks co-owner and Orangewood board member Susan Samueli sipped whiskey sours and played Vegas-style games of blackjack, craps and roulette.
Dancing and gambling revved up guests’ appetites for the down-home-style buffet stations, featuring pulled pork sliders, a soft-pretzel station with homemade beer cheese and jalapeño cornbread. Country music sensation Eli Young Band performed its hit singles and offered elite experiences with the band for the live auction.
After the brief program, Orangewood CEO Chris Simonsen thanked the crowd and the Ducks organization for supporting the foundation, adding: “Thanks especially to the Ducks players, who are so generous and gracious with their time at tonight’s event.”
