The 150th annual Clinton Ball took place on Saturday, May 20. Due to the unprecedented demand for tickets, the venue was changed from the Clinton Memorial Hall to the Clinton arena, which had been transformed into an elegant ballroom, complete with stage and dance floor. Photographer Kelly Tuohey was on hand to record all aspects of the event.
There were close to 250 people in attendance, many of them in period-appropriate costumes, with dignitaries able to arrive at the arena via the BX Express stagecoach supplied by Historic Hat Creek.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod; deputy premier Rich Coleman; Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart; Vernon MLA Eric Foster; Clinton mayor Jim Rivett; Ashcroft mayor Jack Jeyes; Cache Creek mayor John Ranta; TNRD Area E director Sally Watson; School District No. 74 trustees Carmen Ranta and Nancy Rempel; Clinton councillors Diana Guerin, Wayne Marchant, and Susan Swan; and Ashcroft councillor Barbara Roden.
The ball started off with a prayer from Charlotte Edwards of Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation and the parade of dignitaries. Mayor Rivett spoke about the history of the ball, noting that this was not the first time the ball’s popularity meant it had to change venue: the first ball in 1868 was so well-attended that a new location had to be found, as some attendees had to sleep on billiard tables at the Clinton Hotel.
Deborah Adams said grace, noting that the Clinton Ball committee and its volunteers had made the proverbial silk purse out of an ice rink. She also said thank you for the greatly improved weather for the event.
Cathy McLeod recognized the committee by awarding chair Clare Warner, co-chair Alice Crosson, secretary Lily Barnett, treasurer Valerie Bissat, ticket sales manager Dina Connor, and director Wayne Marchant a special Canada 150 medal, given by the MP to people who do a lot for their community.
Dinner was served, and then dancing began to the music of the Evergreen Drifters. When the band took a break, comedy magician Clinton W. Gray—who was named after the town—did an entertaining set of magic tricks, using some good-natured members of the audience to assist. Later in the evening, it was announced that the most elegant lady was Val Teshima; the most dapper gentleman was Kevin Thompson; and the finest couple was Ingrid and Doug Ladrew.
Tickets for the 151st Clinton Annual Ball—which will take place on Saturday, May 19, 2018—are now on sale, at a cost of $75 each. To reserve tickets, call (250) 459-7069, email tickets@clintonannualball.com, or write to P.O. Box 186, Clinton, B.C., V0K 1K0.
To see Kelly Tuohey’s photographs of the 150th ball, go to https://ktp2.shootproof.com/gallery/2017clintonball.
