Boalsburg Columbus Ball

Boalsburg Columbus Ball, Oct 10, 2009, Celebrates Boalsburg's Unique Columbus Connection

     (this is the 2008 text. 2009 to follow later) The streets of Boalsburg were laid out in October 1808 and for 200 years the shape of the village has fostered a sense of community among residents and visitors alike.  Accordingly, on Saturday, October 11, 2008, Boalsburg will celebrate its 200th birthday with a free community birthday party on those same streets in the afternoon and a fancy benefit ball in the evening at the Boal Mansion. The eighth and ninth generation of the historic Boal family will be at the evening ball to welcome guests. The general public is invited to attend both events.

Historic persons from Boalsburg’s rich history will appear at the ball, including the pioneer David Boal portrayed by his descendant Pittsburgh broadcaster Alan Boal, the three ladies who started Memorial Day in 1864 portrayed by members of Battery B, a Civil War re-enactment group, and Judge George Boal, one of Penn State University’s founders, portrayed by national television actor Charles Dumas.

Boalsburg 200th Birthday Ball at the Boal Mansion will feature line dancing to Bruce Young’s group, fine food and champagne. The Ball is open to the public. Tickets are $75 each and will help defray the cost of Boalsburg 200th publications and activities as well as historic preservation.  A television set up in the 1798 library will carry the Penn-State Wisconsin football game at 8 pm for football fans at the ball.

            For further information and a full calendar of Boalsburg 200th Birthday activities access http://boalmuseum.com/ To get involved, contact Boalsburg 200th Chairman Christopher Lee at 814-466-9266 or chris@boalmuseum.com.

            Guests at the October 11th Ball will sip champagne and taste fine hors d'oeuvres from area restaurants in the Boal Mansion's dining room and dance in the elegant ballroom surrounded by portraits and memorabilia from the Boals of Boalsburg.

click to see larger image
Photo above: Guests at the Boalsburg Columbus Ball enjoy contra-dancing maneuvers under the watchful tutelage of Bruce Young (in back with microphone) and his band.
 

Below left: Pioneer David Boal in 1789 portrayed by his descendant, Pittsburgh broadcaster Alan Boal.

Below right: Christopher Columbus speaks! (Portrayed by Bruce Young, musician, in the Boal Mansion ballroom).



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           Most Ball guests will be wearing the fashions of today, whether formal or business, while some will attend in Civil War or turn-of-the-century dress. A photographer will take portrait pictures of guests in 1798 parlor and the event will feature first-person speaking appearances by historical figures including Christopher Columbus (1492) and the pioneer David Boal (1789).
            Everyone in the community is invited to this unique blend of people, place and event. Single persons also are encouraged to attend, says Lee, himself a single parent. In addition to champagne and fine hors d'oeuvres from area restaurants, there will be contra-dancing under the instruction of Bruce Young and his band, the Gnutones.

            Tickets at $75 per person and benefit both the Boalsburg 200th and the museum's non-profit mission - heritage education, historic preservation and community involvement.
            To finish the long weekend, on Monday, October 13, the state chaplain for the Knights of Columbus will say the annual Columbus Day Mass at the historic Columbus Chapel on the Boal Estate. The small chapel has been in the family of Christopher Columbus and his descendants in the Boal family for centuries, first in Spain and since 1909 in Boalsburg, as a living tribute to the man who started the American experience that continues today.

            For more information or to reserve Ball tickets, contact the Boal Mansion Museum at (814) 466-6210, PO Box 116 Boalsburg PA 16827 or email office@boalmuseum.com