A fabulous vista of Llano and Blanco counties will be the backdrop for the 7th Annual Buckaroo Ball on Oct. 16.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes on Thursday sponsored a press preview of “Return to Reata: a GIANT of an Evening” at the hilltop ranch home of Gary and Rhonda Turner’s Buffalo Hollow Ranch.

Located 15 miles southwest of Horseshoe Bay, the pastures and stands of ancient oak of the 600-acre ranch are home to exotic animals. The hilltop club house game room and classic car show room.

Volunteers are turning the wide patio overlooking the rolling hill country into a recreation of the epic film “Giant.”

“We owe thanks to the venue of this year’s ball to a kind gift from the Turner family,” said Ron Mitchell, Buckaroo Ball project chair. “The Turners generous donation to the club also includes hosting the evening’s food, bars, games, floor show entertainment, cowboy exhibition and rodeo clowns.”

The Buckaroo Ball events include tournaments for Texas Hold 'Em, pool and shuffle board.

The film “Giant” will play in the showroom and donors categories have been named in keeping with the West Texas lifestyles surrounding the fictional Reata Ranch portrayed in the 1956 George Stevens film. Guests at the various tables will enjoy gourmet food in keeping with their milieu and they are encouraged to “dress the part.”

“The event has gathered so much support that Nouveau Riche and half of the Oil Tycoon tables have sold out,” Mitchell said. “We still have Tycoon and Cattle Baron table sponsorships available.”

The Benedict’s Head Table of 12 was seated at $6,000 and the Nouveau Riche tables of 10 at $1,500. Tycoons will raise $3,800 per table of 10 and Barons, $2,800 per table.

“We hope to raise $150,000,” said Mitchell.

In addition to their table sponsorships, guests bid on auction items and donors will receive a number of awards.

Some of the prizes include a 30-passenger private jet trip, donated by Horseshoe Bay Resort Realty, diamond jewelry designed by Salem's Jewelry and a trip to Las Vegas.

The Buckaroo Ball is the largest fund-raising event of the Marble Falls unit of the Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes which serves more than 700 area youth with an operating budget of $500,000.

The Turners are long-time residents of the Llano County and have owned and operated the Turner Ranch for many years.

“In every small town, there are people who have a lot and those who do not,” said Turner, a real estate and oil investor. “We believe it is our responsibility to give money to help our young people be successful.”

“If those kids didn't have our support, what would they be doing with their lives?” said his wife. “Because of the Boys and Girls Club they get a sense of community, a sense of ‘I can do.’”

No tickets for the event will be available at the door.

The Marble Falls Unit of Marble Falls Boys and Girls Club is located at 1701 Broadway and the telephone number is (830) 798-2582.