Could you ? in three short months ? gather more than 2,000 people, organize more than 50 food and beverage vendors, and place five kick-bottom bands in one building for one night?
Well, if you are one of Pat Wiglesworth?s “Super Friends,” you sure could.
The event, called WIGS WHAM and held two weeks ago at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, was the brainchild of a small group of Pat?s friends, who ? with help from the Wiglesworth family ? wanted to put together a fundraiser to help pay Pat?s medical bills as he fights esophageal cancer. They decided to do what they do best ? throw a party.
If you haven?t met Pat, the loss is yours. He has served Baltimoreans many a cocktail over the years as one of the area?s best and most popular bartenders.
Mikie Wiglesworth, Patrick?s mom, greeted the throng as they entered the Cow Palace at the Fairgrounds. Due to space, I rarely mention the names of any event?s committee members, but this group outdid themselves. Those who were so instrumental in making this event a great success were Bob Wiglesworth, Michele McCaffray, George McCaffray, Courtney Creamer, Kelly Streib, Jimmy Bullington, Rob Creamer, Tracy Llewellyn, Robin Matthews, Deb Matthews, Lisa Valle, Jeanne Hegarty, Kevin Scott, Shelly Wiglesworth, Clifton Rhea and Paul Langrehr. All of them sported “Super Friends” T-shirts with pictures of superheroes on the front.
Running into old friends was one of the evening?s highlights for just about everybody. Just ask Coldwell Banker?s P. Dennis Connelly and Richard Evans, who were having a blast working the crowd. Maryland Screen Printer Craig Pfeifer was spotted tapping his foot to the tunes of The Steve Ports Trio, Stone Deaf, By The Wayside, The Big Red T?s, and The Gordon Kirby Band.
The crowd got rockin? when guitar-playing Mayor Martin O?Malley took the stage and treated everyone to some fabulous music.
If partygoers weren?t dining or dancing, they were busy bidding during an enormous silent auction, which included lots of sports memorabilia, dinners and cool stuff from Crabby Chic Boutique.
Seen supporting Pat Wiglesworth?s “Super Friends” were Ray and Nora Koontz, Kelly Feather and her husband, Gil Natale, Laura and Mike Hughes and the crowd from one of the evening?s proud sponsors, The Examiner.
Although Pat was too ill to attend, there was no doubt who the star attraction was. Everywhere you looked were life-sized handheld Pat masks. He would have loved it. “Your friendship, love and unending support gets me through each day, and I could never have handled it without all of you,” he wrote in the event?s program.
Since then, Pat has undergone successful surgery, and anyone interested in his progress can get updates at www.patwigs.com.
Anne Boone-Simanski is The Examiner?s society columnist. Contact her at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
