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The Mud Ball: A Gala for the Haven

Apr 01, 2014 12:44PM ● By Erin Frisch

Air out your flapper attire and shake your feather boa! The 2014 Mud Ball is back in town. On April 5, be at the Hanover Inn at 7pm sharp to join in the fun. The Mud Ball is an opportunity to look glamorous, party with friends, and best of all, support Children’s Programs at the Upper Valley Haven.

Although the name “Mud Ball” evolved from the idea of wearing muck boots to the gala, it has since become a more glamorous occasion. This year’s theme is the Great Gatsby, which entails a dress code including “tuxedos, wingtips, flapper dresses, feather headbands, beads, or whatever you fancy.” Past themes have included Masquerade and the ’70s, and there’s no end to the fun you can have dressing up for this event—it’s almost as much fun as attending it!

The gala will be held at the Hanover Inn and may host as many as 150 guests this year. The event starts at 7pm with complimentary cocktails and heavenly hors d’oeuvres. Dancing goes from 8pm to midnight, accompanied by the Phil Abair Band from Burlington, Vermont. Another highlight of the evening is the silent auction. Local businesses donate an impressive array of items to the fundraiser to be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to the Haven’s Children’s Services. The funds raised by the past five successful Mud Balls have benefited the Haven in many ways. Children’s Educational Programs and Activities at the Haven now include after-school and preschool programs, as well as vacation programs at the Montshire Museum, VINS, the River Valley Club, the New England Aquarium, and many other healthy and inspiring places for youth.

The occasion owes its existence to the dedication and generosity of a small group of charitable women and would, in fact, be impossible without them. Lindsay Koenig, a three-year member of the Mud Ball committee, says that her favorite part of the event is “seeing it all come together from conception to the actual party.” She and eight other local women work tirelessly as committee members to organize the Mud Ball and see that their work comes to fruition. And Mud Ball attendees are clearly very grateful to them.

The Mud Ball is an Upper Valley event not to be missed this spring—or any spring to come. So dig up your best ’20s attire or whatever else you fancy, and register for the ball here.

What is your favorite memory of the Mud Ball?

 

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