Festive dance and enticements top off this annual holiday celebration
GALENA, Ill. - This year's annual Mistletoe Ball will be bittersweet, as it will be the last of a grand tradition begun 31 years ago. Sponsored by the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society, the Saturday, December 1 event will feature a dessert and dance at historic Turner Hall from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
"The Mistletoe Ball has seen many evolutions over the years," said Nancy Breed, executive director of the Historical Society. "Recent year's full orchestra, catered dinner events have seen a decline in attendance, so the committee decided it was time to bid a fond farewell to an old friend. December is always a difficult time to hold an event due to weather concerns. We are looking at some exciting new ideas for a more inclusive event next summer."
As this year's event does not include dinner, ball-goers are encouraged dine at one of several fine Galena restaurants which are partnering with the event: Fried Green Tomatoes and the Log Cabin (both offering a free shuttle to Turner Hall), One Eleven Main, Vinny Vanucchi's and the Goldmoor Inn. Or you can park near the Old Train Depot and catch the free shuttle from there.
The popular Fever River String Band will have the honor of playing the last Mistletoe dance, filling the seasonally-decorated hall with a mix of contemporary and period dance music.
Scrumptious holiday desserts catered by Fried Green Tomatoes will be a welcome interlude to dancing. A cash bar will be available including a specialty concoction entitled 'A Very Merry Martini.'
A live auction of several high-value items will create excitement during the festive evening. Wonderful offering such as a two-day Mississippi River Cruise on the Twilight and a gourmet Scandinavian dinner for eight are sure to be hotly contested. Absentee bids will be accepted at the Galena & U.S. Grant Museum, 211 S. Bench St., Galena, until Noon on December 1.
Two 40-minute sessions of period dance during the Ball will be aided by an optional afternoon dance lesson. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., also at Turner Hall, professional dance masters John and Elaine Masciale will provide instruction for simple dances that will be used during the Ball. Ball ticket holders will be charged $2 per person for the class; $5 to the public. No reservations are necessary for the afternoon instruction.
Tickets for the Mistletoe Ball dessert and dance are $35 per person and may be purchased on a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover by calling 815.777.9129, or by sending a check payable to the Galena Historical Society at 211 S. Bench St., Galena, IL 61036. Period dress and holiday attire are both appropriate. Reservations are encouraged.
For more details about the elegant grand finale of the Mistletoe Ball hosted by the Galena - Jo Daviess County Historical Society, visit www.galenahistorymuseum.org or call 815.777.9129. Additional area offerings and visitor information may be found at the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.galena.org or by calling 877.464.2536. While in town, visit the CVB's Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center at 101 Bouthillier St. (corner of Park Avenue) for on-site assistance and countywide information.
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