Despite the steady rain and cool temperatures, Clinton Annual Ball Committee chair Clare Warner says committee members were very pleased with the 147th Clinton Annual Ball on May 17.
“We have received nothing but positive comments about the food, entertainment and music and, of course, the presence of Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon who made a special event even more noteworthy.”
The Clinton Memorial Hall doors opened at 5 p.m. and quests, half of whom were in period costumes, started arriving.
Twenty minutes later, stagecoach driver Fergus “Fergie” Joslin and his helper Don Pearse, Historic Hat Creek Ranch general manager, arrived with Clinton Mayor Jim Rivett and his wife, Christine.
While they waited for the stagecoach return with Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster and Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart, more folks trickled in and the excitement grew in anticipation of Lt.-Gov. Guichon’s arrival.
Just before 6 p.m., the stagecoach showed up with Guichon, her entourage and Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod and Warner.
Then it started to pour, but the honoured guests took it all in stride as Lt.-Gov. Guichon greeted and chatted with the escort members Clinton RCMP Const. Jeff McMichaels and the 2887 Rocky Mountain Rangers – Royal Canadian Army Cadets.
Then she was piped into the hall by piper John Wilson of the Kamloops Pipe Band Society.
Once in the hall, there were a few speeches, and a beef Wellington dinner was served by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #194-Clinton Ladies Auxiliary to the 140-plus guests.
Warner notes the number of guests was up from the previous year.
After dinner, the Grand March allowed guests to show off their costumes and enjoy a tradition that started in 1868.
Later in the evening, the prizes were handed out:
• The Most Elegant Lady prize was presented by MLA Foster to Joan Gentles of Williams Lake.
• The Most Dapper Gentleman prize was presented by MLA Tegart to Bill Cameron of Calgary.
• The Finest Couple prize was presented by Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area E Director Sally Watson and Cache Creek Mayor John Ranta to Jean and Tom Dall. (Tom is the chief administrative officer for the Village of Clinton.)
• The door prize, a weekend for two at the Big Bar Guest Ranch, was won by Don Rose of Clinton.
Warner says guests came from all over British Columbia and from as far away as Winnipeg.
“Typically at least two-thirds of our guests come from places other than Clinton.”
The Clinton Annual Ball is believed to be the oldest continuously running event of its kind in Canada. The first ball was a week-long affair held in the lobby of the Clinton Hotel in January 1868. Guests were invited and travelled from afar to attend the ball.
The women wore dresses ordered from Victoria, San Francisco and even Europe. The Clinton Annual Ball has continued without a break since 1868 – surviving two world wars, The Depression and major demographic changes.
Two other Lieutenant Governors have attended the ball in the last decade – Iona Campagnolo in 2004 and Steven Point in 2010.
2017 will mark the 150th anniversary of the Clinton Annual Ball and it’s expected to be a special affair to mark an historic event.
