GREENFIELD — Greenfield will celebrate Mardi Gras on Saturday with the fourth annual Masquerade Ball at the Creative Arts and Event Center.
It’s true that Mardi Gras in New Orleans wrapped up at the end of February, but event organizer Stacey Poe said “they don’t have to worry about the weather.”
Attendees to this event can expect an evening of purple, gold, black and green, the official colors of Mardi Gras, on the third floor of the Creative Arts and Event Center in Bradley Hall.
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Food and fun
SoupHerb will be catering the buffet, a traditional New Orleans-style dinner, the centerpiece of which is jambalaya made from rice, vegetables, sausage and shrimp. Jerry Bell, director of the Brandywine Wind, will provide dinner music of New Orleans jazz.
The fun starts after dinner around 7:30 p.m. when Poe leads the umbrella dance, taking diners to the dance floor where attendees can dance until 10 p.m. to a mix of popular music, country line dances, jazz, or some cheek-to-cheek-with-your-sweetie torch songs.
Costumes welcome
The idea behind the Masquerade Ball is to give people a chance to dress up and go out for an evening of adult fun.
It’s not a Halloween party, but no one will say no to a good costume, Poe said.
“Masquerade parties originated in the 17th and 18th centuries, so some people go all out and rent period costumes to wear; others simply dress up. Men usually wear suits, and the women fancy dresses,” said Poe. “But you can really wear whatever you’re comfortable in.”
Mardi Gras bead necklaces and extra masks will be on hand for those who need them.
Lisa Bayne has attended the event all four years.
“As a single woman, Stacey has been my regular dance partner,” Bayne said with a laugh. “But there are also single men in attendance, and many of the husbands will dance with you as well.”
Prom night for adults
Bayne gives a big thumbs-up to the event, which she compared to prom night for adults.
Although dinner reservations are closed, tickets for the dance portion of the evening are available at the door for $20 per person.
For more information, contact Poe at 317-627-4750.
