Back in the 1980s, my husband and I, along with family and friends, often attended the Holly Ball. In the early years, it was held at the Nathan Goff Armory. My husband - in a tuxedo - and I - in a floor-length black gown with puffy metallic blue lamé sleeves - sauntered into the soiree with our cooler full of snacks and spirits. Although it had been transformed into an elaborate ballroom, it was the same giant room where the Harlem Globetrotters had played and various other activities had taken place. We ate, meandered the fabulous holiday décor, posed for photos and we danced and danced. And that was just one of many Holly Ball experiences. I specifically remember another night when I wore one of my daughter’s hand-me-down prom dresses – a strapless shimmery pink number – and the event was held at Village Square Conference Center.

 

More recently, the Holly Ball was held at Bridgeport Conference Center and last year, at Stonewall Resort. Compared to 30 years ago, attire was a little less formal.

 

Regardless of the change in styles, décor and venues, one thing about the Holly Ball has not changed in more than a half century. Since its beginning in 1960, the formal has served as a fundraiser for the Auxiliary to United Hospital Center and money raised has benefited patients in a number of wonderful ways.

 

In less than two months, Holly Ball 2015 will take place, this year at Village Square Conference Center in Clarksburg. And for the first time ever, the dinner/dance will weave together 55 years of celebrations and style. At the helm of it all is Pamela Preston, who has taken on quite an undertaking. And in chatting with her about it this past week, it is obvious that she is quite passionate about it all.

 

So far, there are 15 to 20 past Holly Ball chairwomen coming to the Dec. 12 event and each is bringing along a slice of vintage décor. Each of these ladies will sit at a table reminiscent of her Holly Ball theme and accompanying decorations. They and all who remember their specific eras will be taken back through decades of high fashion when a variety of styles were in vogue: Everything from 1960s streamlined pop art with chunky embellishments and 1970s flowy chiffon florals to power dressing and, yes, shoulder accents, of the 1980s and high-shine satin slip dresses and sequins of the 1990s.

 

The vintage table decorations will take center stage.

 

“The whole room is going to be in winter white with white lights and a tiny little hint of silver to give it a completely neutral palette,” Preston said. “Each of the chairs throughout 55 years are going to be announced and escorted in to sit down at their tables.”

 

To mesh musical styles, two bands will be featured. Out of Charleston, the Santa Cruz Band – pegged “the West Virginia Party Band” – plays everything from Alicia Keys and the Black Eyed Peas to The Doobie Brothers and Earth, Wind and Fire. The Mon River Big Band features a dozen and a half horns and other brass, percussion and string instruments specializing in swing, big band and jazz tunes.

 

Preston said invitations will be going out at the end of October. Those recipients – and anyone who wishes to attend – can begin making reservations to an event which promises to culminate 55 years of top-notch efforts into one ballroom.

 

“Hopefully, one of the unique things this year is that people will want to walk around the room and check out each of the former chair’s tables, remembering when they went to that Holly Ball. I hope it will be that kind of night,” Preston said.

 

Leading up to that time, I’ll be writing a series of features on the former Holly Ball chairs and their respective decorating themes. Watch for the series to start soon here on Connect-Bridgeport . 

 

Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, julie@connect-bridgeport.com or follow @JuliePerine on Twitter!