CHICAGO — Frank Robb, the Florida alligator trapper who famously captured Chance The Snapper, will be honored at a Chicago nonprofit’s annual ball.
Robb will be a VIP guest at the 28th annual Green Tie Ball, which benefits Chicago Gateway Green, a nonprofit dedicated to beautifying Chicago’s expressways and gateways.
Robb is attending “as a thank you for safely cleaning up Chicago’s Humboldt Park,” an event spokeswoman said in an email.
“Gator Robb’s alligator extraction efforts aligns with Chicago Gateway Green’s mission to beautifying the city so everyone can enjoy Chicago’s green spaces safely.”
Attendees can expect to mingle with Robb at the Sept. 13 event at Alhambra Palace, 1240 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop. There will also be “gator-related surprises,” the spokeswoman said.
Gala tickets cost $150 and VIP tickets cost $450. A bundle of 10 VIP tickets cost $4,000. VIP ticket holders get access to the second-floor lounge, which includes private bars, hors d’oeuvres and a better view of the stage.
The theme of this year’s ball is “I Dream of Greenie” after the 1960’s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie” starring Barbara Eden. The venue — Alhambra Palace at 1240 W. Randolph Street — has a Jeannie’s bottle vibe with crystal chandeliers, Moorish art and gilded doorways.
Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, who is from suburban Wilmette, is slated to DJ the event. Chicago restaurants like Avli Taverna, Katana and Taureaux Tavern will provide the food.
Chicago Gateway Green has planted more than 4,000 trees, 80,000 shrubs and 130,000 perennials and removed more than 1.3 million pounds of litter since its founding in 1986.
The Green Tie Ball is the latest appearance for Robb, who has become a Chicago celebrity since he captured Chance in the usually-quiet Humboldt Park lagoon earlier this summer.
Robb threw out the first pitch at a Cubs game and flipped the switch on Buckingham Fountain. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum even made a bobblehead of him.
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