600 To Attend Tercentennial Ball—

Barely Room At The Inn

By Nancy K. Crevier

“Dancing cheek to cheek” may be more than just a line from a song if you are one of the lucky 600 who RSVP’d to the Tercentennial Ball by January 8.

Co-chairpersons Janet Woycik and Barbara Kasbarian are scrambling to make room at the Fireside Inn to accommodate the townspeople who have bought tickets to eat, drink, and make merry at the inn February 5. An overwhelming response to invitations mailed out in November has created a welcome problem for the organizers.

Originally slated as an event for 400 people, the Tercentennial Ball committee and executive committee realized it would be unfair to exclude others who wanted to celebrate Newtown’s birthday. A decision to sell up to an additional 200 tickets was made. The Tercentennial Ball committee is still receiving calls from Newtowners hopeful of attending, but the Fireside Inn is at maximum capacity.

“We’re very excited this many people are coming,” says Ms Woycik. “This is the big fundraiser for the tercentennial. We hope that the money raised covers future events throughout the year for the tercentennial, at no cost to the townspeople.”

Ms Kasbarian echoes Ms Woycik’s sentiments, saying, “We are thrilled that so many want to take part in the ball.”

Fearing that the lobby will be too small to hold the rush of arriving partygoers, the committee will use heated outside tents staffed by “meeters and greeters” and coat checkers. A free glass of champagne will ease the pain of any time spent in line.

Once inside, 500 people will gather in the main hall, with a smaller, adjacent room hosting 100 committee members and their guests. In addition to the dinner catered by the Fireside Inn and dancing to the music of Third Shift, revelers will be treated to a live auction featuring items from gift certificates to elegant vacations. A raffle in lieu of the silent auction is planned (again, freeing up valuable interior space).

“Everything seems to be falling into place, and everyone is working hard to make sure everyone has a great evening,” says Ms Kasbarian.

Ms Woycik emphasizes, “We know it’s going to be crowded, but we know everyone is going to have a wonderful, wonderful time.”