West Hartford to Celebrate at Mayor's Charity Ball

It may not match the elegance of a royal wedding, but for West Hartford residents, the annual is shaping up to be “the” event of the year – and certainly the place to be on Saturday, May 7.

With a theme of “West Hartford Celebrates,” this year marks the 12th anniversary of the Mayor’s Charity Ball. However, almost everything about this year’s event is new.

One of the most exciting changes, according to committee member Jennifer Krebsbach, is the new location. “We are holding the ball under a huge tent on the front grounds of , right on South Main Street. One of the main reasons was to be able to accommodate more people.”

Also new this year is the date. The ball has traditionally been held in the winter, but in order to use a tent, it had to be held during warmer weather. Organizers were also looking to separate it from the Children’s Charity Ball, and are hopeful that the May date will attract people who want to support both events but find it difficult to budget attending two galas so close together.

The Mayor’s Charity Ball benefits three West Hartford non-profit organizations this year: , The Grounds, and . Representatives of all three groups worked closely together on the planning committee. Claudia Storm, Chris Skelly, and Carol McCabe are the event co-chairs.

The entire event has been well-choreographed so that the anticipated 400 guests will naturally progress from one part of the evening to the next, always with the opportunity to mingle in an elegant environment.

Attendees will park in the municipal parking lot, and enter Town Hall through the front doors. They will enjoy cocktail hour and the silent auction in the Town Hall auditorium. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be available and there will be musical entertainment as guests browse the silent auction offerings.

“Businesses from West Hartford were really generous this year, and the committee packaged everything very well,” said Krebsbach. One of the highlights of the silent auction is the Blue Back Extravaganza – an assortment of goods and gift certificates all from .

At approximately 7:45 p.m., guests will be redirected to the grand tent. Dinner, speeches, live auction, and dancing will complete the evening. Brad Drazen from is serving as Master of Ceremonies. Food will be provided by Max Catering (new to the event this year) and the Motown band Le’ Mixx will get everyone up and dancing after dinner.

“The tent is being put up on Wednesday so if it rains in the days before the event the ground won’t be soaking wet,” Krebsbach told me. The tent, which is being supplied by Taylor Rental Party Plus, can adapt to any weather conditions, and includes both heaters, removable side panels, and a wooden dance floor.

“It will be more elegant than ever before,” said Krebsbach. Decorations include cherry blossoms, white lights, and lots of tulle. “Playhouse on Park has added such a theatrical element this year, with the costumes and lighting. It’s going to be fabulous,” Krebsbach said.

“The live auction items are incredible,” said Krebsbach. They include a “Backyard Bash” – complete with tent, food, and live band. Other auction items include “West Hartford Night” with the band LittleHouse; “A New Smile with Invisalign”; prime seats at a Red Sox game (I’m betting my husband bids on those!); a personalized landscape plan; and the most unique and priceless item – a four-part “Only in West Hartford” experience which includes a tour of LEGO with Mayor Scott Slifka, a chance to shadow State Senator Beth Bye; a walk-on role in a Playhouse on Park production, and the opportunity to name a sundae at .

Mayor Slifka is excited about the changes and enhancements to this year’s Mayor’s Charity Ball. “We’ve had some great events that have followed a typical format, but one that we haven’t had is a gala event like this in West Hartford Center. It will be fun, cool, and it’s what people have been asking for,” Slifka told me.

Slifka praised the work of the committee in putting together this completely revamped event. “I’m really just there in an advisory capacity. The committee deserves all the credit.”

Of course Slifka will have one significant role in the night’s festivities. He will join former Mayor Jonathan Harris in a special performance of this year’s original “Mayor’s Dance” which has been choreographed by professionals from the Playhouse on Park. “My goal is to just try not to embarrass myself,” Slifka said.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.themayorscharityball.org.