Joe Theismann emceed the dinner banquet honoring Walton. The affair was emceed by comedian Martin Short. Former Bulls' broadcaster Jim Durham emceed the halftime ceremony. The opening ceremonies were emceed by Phil Donahue. Merry Pranksters Ken Kesey and Ken Babbs emceed the concert. FOX play-by-play announcer Joe Buck emceed the ceremony. The event was emceed by oldies radio DJ and Pitney friend "Wild" Wayne. They met when he emceed the Miss National Teenager Pageant, which she won. He emceed a fundraising event for GenderPAC in 2008. Dawn Hayes, who emceed the drawings on WHDH, was retained as host. She later emceed the pageant in 2014. She has also emceed Trevor Project and GLAAD events. During the military service Joo Won emceed at the Armed Forces Festival 2017. The series was initially emceed by Johnny Carson and announced by Bill Nimmo. An auction followed, emceed by Stephen Fry.