The 150th annual Clinton Ball is getting closer; and while the change of venue from the Clinton Memorial Hall to the Clinton Arena means that the event’s capacity has increased substantially, Claire Warner—chair of the Clinton Annual Ball committee—says there are still more than 30 people on the waiting list for tickets.
“We’re working our way down the waiting list and giving people deadlines,” says Warner, who is hopeful that those still on the waiting list will be able to get tickets. This year’s event was sold out before last year’s ball took place, resulting in an initial waiting list of more than 140 people. “When people buy tickets so far ahead of time there’s always some attrition. If people can’t come, we need to offer those tickets to someone else.”
At a recent meeting, Clinton council voted to allow the ball committee free use of the arena for this year’s event, as well as free use of the chairs and tables at the Memorial Hall and the park. “They don’t normally allow the tables and chairs out of the hall,” says Warner. “It was very good of them.”
While she admits it is a shame that this year’s ball won’t be held in the newly refurbished hall, which has a new light and sound system, Warner says that they had little choice. “We either turned those [140] folks on the waiting list down and held it at the hall, or we found another venue. It’s only for one year.” She adds that some of the old sound equipment from the hall is now at the arena. “We’ll make it work.”
In addition to the popular band the Evergreen Drifters, who have performed at several previous balls, Warner says they are bringing back magician Clinton W. Gray. “He’s very entertaining. And he was named after the village of Clinton; his parents lived here briefly, and named him after the town. We like the connection.”
Attendees are encouraged to wear period costume, and Clinton seamstress Ingrid Ledrew says that she has a half-dozen gowns that can be rented out. She also custom makes dresses, but says that anyone wanting her to create a dress for them should be in touch quickly.
“The sooner the better,” she says, “because it takes a long time to make them.” A standard period dress—one without a lot of extra detail—takes up to a month to create, and custom-made pieces cannot be rented; only purchased. However, she adds that anyone with a gown that only needs re-purposing, re-vamping, or accessorizing to make it period appropriate can contact her to see about getting the dress ready in time for the ball, which takes place on Saturday, May 20.