The Houston community gathered at Cotton Ranch in Katy, Texas, for CrawFest 2026, an evening dedicated to supporting the Cotton Foundation. Presented by Anzola Productions, DRS/HUB, RRS Staffing, SE Roofing Solutions, LLC, and Sunbelt Rentals, Pinto Ranch, guests enjoyed a lively night of crawfish, auctions, raffles, and entertainment—all in support of the Foundation’s mission to restore hope through disaster relief and community initiatives. Proceeds from the event also benefited Taylor’s Place, the soon-to-be-opened countryside retreat, helping further its development while raising funds to welcome its first families and expand access to those in need.
Taylor’s Place was inspired by the example of a beloved friend, colleague, and member of the Cotton family, Tom Wallace; the Cotton Foundation established this haven for families facing terminal illnesses in his memory, honoring his commitment to giving back to the community and building lasting bonds between people. The evening was especially meaningful with the attendance of Taylor Odum, the namesake of Taylor’s Place. A graduate of NYU and soon-to-be student at UTMB, where she will pursue medical school with a focus on oncology in honor of her father, Taylor’s presence underscored the deeply personal mission behind Taylor’s Place and the lives it aims to impact.
Guests were welcomed to a classic crawfish boil, featuring freshly prepared crawfish from Cotton Culinary served alongside traditional fixings. The evening unfolded with a dynamic lineup of auction and raffles as attendees mixed and mingled throughout the ranch setting. During the program, Pete Bell, Founder of Cotton Holdings, shared an inside look at the continued progress of Taylor’s Place. The raffle featured sought-after items, including an exclusive Houston Astros package with premium dugout tickets and Gallagher Club passes. Auctioneered by Josh Lockhart, the live auction, which was sponsored by Pinto Ranch, highlights included a three-night stay at The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa, as well as a guided hunting experience at HC Founders Ranch with the opportunity to harvest a 150”–160” class white-tailed deer.
The raffle featured sought-after items, including an exclusive Houston Astros package with premium dugout tickets and Gallagher Club passes, a generous donation from the CJ Stroud Foundation which included an autographed jersey from CJ Stroud, two tickets to a game in his suite followed by a meet-and-greet, as well as a signed basketball from the Houston Rockets’ 2025–2026 season team and a signed photograph from Kevin Durant. Auctioneered by Josh Lockhart, the live auction, sponsored by Pinto Ranch, featured highlights including a three-night stay at The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa, as well as a guided hunting experience at High Cotton Founders Ranch with the opportunity to harvest a 150”–160” class white-tailed deer, which proved so popular it was auctioned twice and emerged as the highest-bidding item of the evening. The evening concluded with a highly anticipated surprise reveal from Pinto Ranch: an Hermés Birkin bag, which served as the final showstopping moment of the night.
Set against a relaxed, yet festive backdrop of Cotton Ranch, the evening offered guests an opportunity to connect, enjoy thoughtful culinary offerings, and deepen their understanding of the Cotton Foundation’s mission and its vision for Taylor’s Place. The night concluded with live entertainment from Houston-native and country music singer Christian Walker, followed by a celebratory “Hit the Button” confetti moment as the event surpassed more than $1 million raised in support of the Cotton Foundation and Taylor’s Place.
“CrawFest is a celebration of community at its core,” said Pete Bell, Founder of Cotton Holdings. “This was an opportunity to thank our donors, and it was incredibly moving to see so many people fully embrace the cause. The emotion in the room was palpable because everyone understands we have something truly special in Taylor’s Place—a place where families can simply be a family during some of life’s most difficult moments.”
Image credit: Cotton Holdings
