THE SUMMER HEAT can be oppressive, yes — but after more than a year cooped up with minimal socializing taking place, Houstonians say bring it on!

The Museum of Fine Arts' Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens welcomed 200 guests to its annual garden party, where they mingled happily in the picturesque gardens. Dinner, catered by City Kitchen, was comprised of summer-savvy comfort food, a la chilled pea soup, fried chicken, succotash — and a pecan-crusted ice cream ball with chocolate sauce. It was all set under a towering tent with stunning centerpieces of white and green tulips and eucalyptus, and was followed by a performance by popular party band Doppelganger.

In all, the evening raised nearly half a million for the Bayou Bend operating budget.

Ann and John Bookout

Bobbie Nau and Marc Grossberg

Kelly and Tony Duenner

Patrick and Bridget Wade

Lane Ware; Emma Willingham; Kay and Stuart Duenner

Polly and Murry Bowden

Reed and Laurie Morian; Gary Tinterow and Christopher Gardner

Sarah and David Larned

Vivian Vanden Bout; Lauren Brollier; Mary Margaret Brollier