Four years ago to celebrate the inauguration of Gov. Gary Locke? Never?
Maybe the last time you really dressed up was at your wedding or high school prom.
All that could change, of course, if you have this coming Wednesday night free, $75 to spare and something to wear.
More than 3,500 people are expected at the 2005 Governor's Inaugural Ball, a black-tie gala to honor Gov.-elect Christine Gregoire, cabinet members, the Supreme Court and Legislative leadership and to celebrate the newly refurbished state Capitol building.
There will be five 1,800-pound ice sculptures -- one featuring a bear fishing for salmon -- a chocolate fountain, and foods and wines representing all the best Washington has to offer.
It's like prom, you might say, for adults.
Men typically wear tuxedos and ladies don full-length ball gowns.
"It's like a Cinderella night and everyone's Cinderella," said Mary Charles, who is the outgoing mansion coordinator for Gov. Gary Locke. "The atmosphere is just electric and exciting."
Charles, like many ball-going women in South Sound, will go through her dress collection this weekend.
"If I'm lucky, it will be a nice, long black number, black velvet," said Charles, who will attend with her husband, John. "We'll see if it fits."
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Gregoire, who will attend the ball with her husband, Mike, and daughters, Courtney and Michelle, will be the second female governor for Washington, following only Dixy Lee Ray, who was governor between 1977 and 1981.
What will the new governor wear after three days of inaugural activities preceding the ball?
"She hates to shop, but her daughter, who has great taste, sent her a dress from Washington, D.C.," said transition spokeswoman Kim Contris. "She doesn't have it yet, but she's anxiously awaiting it."
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Larry Blume, who will attend the ball on his own, will wear a tux, of course.
He's the owner of The Guardsman, a men's clothing shop in Lacey.
"You don't have to wear a tux, although I would say the majority of gentleman do," Blume said. "I remember last time, there were people just wearing dark suits. All the women are wearing long dresses."
Blume said it's still possible to rent a tux, because they can be shipped from major warehouses around the region. Every day nearer to the event, however, there's a greater likelihood of airfreight charges to get a tux here on time.
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Since 1853, the Governor's Inaugural Ball Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group made up of private citizens, has hosted a gala for state leaders.
Tickets sales have been topsy-turvy this year because of the turbulent governor's race. However, on Dec. 30, closure came when Secretary of State Sam Reed, a Republican, certified Gregoire's 129-vote margin of victory over Republican Dino Rossi.
"We don't care who the governor is, we just want to throw a party," said committee member Judi Hoefling. "I think I speak for most of the committee when I say we're a group of people from Thurston County who recognize we have a unique opportunity to welcome the leadership of the whole state to our community. Just like any good host, we want to say, 'Welcome. We're glad you're here.' "
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Though Blume is not a supporter of Gregoire per se, he's still excited for the ball.
"It's an enjoyable social event. I would have gone regardless. I think it's unfortunate that there are people that won't go just because of that mess," Blume said. "Everybody's dressed up. There's bands. There's entertainment. Because it's crowded, you're going to be talking to people you've never seen before. They only do it once every four years."
Some Rossi supporters have asked to return their tickets, which goes against the longstanding policy of no refunds for the committee.
"Lots of people had purchased tickets when they thought that the governor was going to be Rossi. Now they would really like to have a refund," Hoefling said. "We're encouraging them to find their Democrat friends and sell them tickets. We have never had a refund policy. If we have a very successful ball, we will revisit that."
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Committee member Lisa Cosmillo said ticket sales are back on track for a good turnout.
"We're doing really well now that we know what's going on," she said. "Our expected attendance is somewhere around 4,000."
Hoefling said she expected at least 3,500 people to attend but said it was likely that many tickets would be sold at the door because of the late decision in the governor's race.
"We may be surprised," she said, adding that the recent reopening of the Capitol will likely draw many people to the gala. "We have the grandeur of very beautiful buildings that need to be honored also, particularly this year, with the absolutely exquisite renovation of that building."
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More than 200 culinary professionals from across the state and students from 12 culinary schools will feature food prepared with five themes in mind, including Pacific Rim, Pacific Northwest, Mardi Gras, Mediterranean and New York.
"Salmon and shrimp and pheasant -- you name it," Hoefling said. "It's just incredible the foods they're preparing."
This year's ball will have more security than the ball four years ago.
Attendees will go through a security check before entering the building. Guns will not be allowed among guests.
"Since 9/11, everything's changed," Cosmillo said. "We've got a magician who is going to flow through the crowd if things get backed up a little bit."
On the up side, Intercity Transit will donate shuttle service to various locations around town, primarily hotels, during and after the gala.
Hoefling said Olympia is blessed to be a Capital city and the ball is a great time to celebrate that, too. Lakefair princesses will ask attendees to sign the guestbooks, and many South Sound volunteers will be help make the night a success, too.
"Many of the local community come out for this. You'll see all of our mayors and the county commissioners will be there," Hoefling said. "It's like any other big house party, but it's in the most elegant house in the state with some of the most influential people in the state."
Sarah Jackson writes for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-704-6871 or sajackso@olympia.gannett.com.
Inaugural Ball
- What: The 2005 Governor's Inaugural Ball is expected to draw more than 3,500 people to honor incoming Gov. Christine Gregoire, cabinet members, the Supreme Court and Legislative leadership and to celebrate the newly refurbished Legislative Building.
- When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
- Hours: Listen to music, dance and sample food and wine from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Catch the honor guard and posting of the colors at 8:50 p.m., followed by the presentation of honored guests at 9 p.m. and a champagne toast to and from the governor at 10 p.m.
- Where: The ball will be spread throughout the Capitol and the Supreme Court, which will be connected by tented esplanades.
- Bands include Aces High, Craig Foster, Brent Pendleton, Bill Ramsay Big Band, Buckhorn Country Western, Johnny Lewis Big Swing Band and the 133rd Army Band of the Washington National Guard.
- Cost: Tickets are $75 per person or $150 for a couple. Order tickets by writing ibc2005@hotmail.com, call 360-427-6881 or send payment to Inaugural Ball Committee, P.O. Box 1086, Shelton, WA 98584. Tickets also will be sold from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Lakefair office, 1600 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia. Tickets will be available the night of the ball at the door, and a "will call" booth will be in the nearby Cherberg Building.