Civil War Grand Ball
Civil War Grand Ball
150th anniversary Grand Ball is Saturday
By Jake Atnip The Mason Times
This city has traditions, icons and history. One tradition, which happens only once every 25 years, will light up the lives of residents on Saturday. The Grand Ball returns for Mason’s 150th birthday celebration.
Photo courtesy Celeste Hude.Victorian tailor
Mason’s Grand Ball is the culmination of 150th celebrations and has been planned by a committee for two years.
Only 150 tickets are available for the event and some have been sold in advance through the Mason Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $30.
Organizer Rita Vogel, a member of the Rotary Club, has been heading the planning for this event since the beginning. She has been involved with the community since she returned to Mason four years ago.
She said, “I’ve been all about the community since I’ve been back. Once you leave, you miss it.”
Vogel said she has gone to great lengths to ensure this is the event of the year.
“I really enjoy events and parties,” Vogel said, “so I knew I wanted this to be something very special for my community.”
Vogel said the committee has surprises in store for attendees. There will also be hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar by Bad Brewing Co. and live music by Jay Mitzer and the Bayou River Band.
Attendees will include 7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Company B. This Civil War re-enactment group plans to expose attendees to the cultural history of Mason.
Celeste Hude, a member of 7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Company B, is a Victorian tailor who creates dresses from that time period.
“The 7th Michigan was formed in Mason back in the 1860s during the time of the Civil War,” Hude said.
There will be people dressing in the clothes that were worn when the city was formed. Costumes and Victorian dress are highly encouraged for the gala.
A ceremony at the ball will honor past mayors of Mason. Five are expected and Fire Chief Norm Austin will present the awards.
The Mason Area Sesquicentennial Grand Ball will take place 6-9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Ingham County Fairgrounds Community Building, 700 E. Ash St.
Vogel said, “Upon leaving you will be a little more in love with your town.”
