The Crowd:

They called it “Palm Trees in Paradise.” The American Cancer Society, Orange County Region, netted $118,500 at its end-of-summer event at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina. Some 250 residents converged on the Marina Pavilion for a Sunday afternoon family party with a very serious purpose: fighting cancer.

The afternoon in paradise was chaired by Margo Ferris with considerable assistance from husband, Frank Ferris, and the OC Barons’ League president, Kay Burra, and her husband, Jim Burra.

The Barons’ League is the name of the Cancer Society support wing derived many seasons ago from the big annual fundraiser that used to be called the Cattle Barons’ Ball.

This season, KOCE-TV newscaster Ed Arnold served as master of ceremonies, helping to welcome donors and sponsors including Bobbitt and Bill Williams, Carol and Kent Wilken, Anne and Randy Moore, Cathy and Michael Haynes, Dr. Rudolf and Dorothy Baldoni, and Stephanie Guastella. A major underwriter of this year’s cancer event was PIMCO.

The foundation picked up the cost of the entire underwriter’s VIP reception.

As in years past, the cancer summer event placed an emphasis on fun, as guests were treated to a lively Caribbean-themed evening featuring everything from kayak races, silent and live auctions, Lemoncello tasting, wine and food booths and dancing to the sounds of island music preformed by Irie.

The Caribbean cuisine was served by Newport Dunes Catering, and the wine was provided by Barefoot Wines.

Spotted in the crowd were Nella Webster, Kevin O’Grady, Larry Thacker, June and Paul Lange, Ellen and Don Goodwin, and Brenda and Steve Sherwood.

“The OC Barons’ League is thankful for the Orange County community’s continued support,” Margo Ferris said. “The proceeds from this event will help fund the society’s services and programs to help people get well, stay well, and fund life-saving cancer research.”

Since its creation in 1999, the OC Barons’ League has raised and contributed more than $4 million to cancer research and prevention.

For more information on the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.