Historic Petersburg Foundation Announces Ball in the Burg Theme and Chairman

The Historic Petersburg Foundation (HPF) has announced the theme and chairman of its 2009 Ball in the Burg. For its sixth annual much-anticipated fund-raiser the theme will be “The Crystal Ball: Sparkle, Shimmer, Twinkle, Shine. . .Gaze Into Another Time.” The ball will be chaired again this year by longtime Petersburg resident and current HPF […]

December 17, 2008; 12:07 PM • by brenda p

The Historic Petersburg Foundation (HPF) has announced the theme and chairman of its 2009 Ball in the Burg. For its sixth annual much-anticipated fund-raiser the theme will be “The Crystal Ball: Sparkle, Shimmer, Twinkle, Shine. . .Gaze Into Another Time.” The ball will be chaired again this year by longtime Petersburg resident and current HPF president, Larry C. Tucker.

The ball will take place Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Petersburg Regional Art Center on Sycamore Street in Old Towne. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on January 5, 2009. They are $95 per person, the same price as last year, and include a catered dinner, open bar, ten-piece big band entertainment and a live and silent auction. Dress is black tie or costume. Prizes will be given for the best costume.

Anyone interested in attending is strongly urged to purchase tickets early, as this event sells out quickly each year, with each successive ball gaining a longer and longer waiting list by the day of the event.

“The Ball in the Burg is HPF’s most successful fundraising event of the year, but also the most time-intensive,” said Tucker. “Last year’s ball was the foundation’s most successful to date, but our ambitious and hardworking ball committee is already working with our corporate and individual sponsors to try to top last year’s event in all categories, including fun, imagination and, of course, fund raising.”

Past Ball in the Burg themes have included: Mardi Gras, Puttin’ on the Ritz (the roaring 20s), the 1940s, Hollywood and Paint the Town! Where Art Comes to Life.

“Each year we try to come up with creative themes and different ways to enhance the event experience,” said Ann Morriss, HPF ball committee member. “This year’s theme lends itself to costumes surrounding the popular Harry Potter series, as well as general wizardry, witches and fortune telling.”

She also added that in response to numerous requests, the live auction will be limited to 30 minutes so that the band can play longer and the guests and can dance and socialize more.

Sponsorship opportunities for the ball are now available. Call HPF to learn how to become an event sponsor, advertise in the ball journal or make a donation for the live or silent auction. Top level sponsors, or “Diamond Sponsors,” receive 12 tickets or a whole table, which is the best way to guarantee getting tickets to this always-sold-out event and to ensure being seated with exactly whom you want. It is also an excellent way to help support HPF’s mission of helping to save Petersburg’s historic buildings. Other sponsorship levels include Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby and Amethyst.

HPF is a 41-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to leading the preservation and restoration of Petersburg’s historic architecture and neighborhoods and to tell their story.

For more information on HPF, the ball or for membership opportunities, call (804) 732-2096 or visit www.historicpetersburg.org.

December 17, 2008 12:07 PM 0