Commanding Officers Ball To Be July 13

Honoring the nonprofit Mackinac Associates for 25 years of support of Mackinac State Historic Parks preservation efforts, a Commanding Officer's Ball will be at Fort Mackinac Friday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. The ball is a recreation of the group's first membership event.

The ball is open to the public, with tickets priced at $125. Participants are asked to wear historic costumes or business attire.

Guests will be announced and photographed as they step onto the fort's lantern-lit parade ground. The photographs will serve as a memento of the event.

Each female guest will be given a dance card to wear on her wrist, to fill with the names of partners for each dance.

"The fort band will play authentic dance music of the 1880s, waltzes, schottische dances, even something called a Mackinac reel," said Phil Porter, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks. "We'll demonstrate the steps for each of these so that everyone can participate and enjoy themselves."

Founded in 1982, Mackinac Associates describes itself as "friends preserving Mackinac's heritage." Members gather several times each year for special events, including cottage tours, dinners, and a Fourth of July reception. Members also enjoy discounts at Mackinac State Historic Parks' museum stores, unlimited attendance at its sites, and free or discounted admission to special events hosted by the parks.

The dinner will be catered by Grand Hotel, with the fort's reenactors moving among the tables to serve guests.

"It will truly be a night to remember," said Mr. Porter. "Dinner and dancing under the stars, just as they did in the 19th century at this island fort. What a fitting, and we think, fun way to celebrate this milestone anniversary in Mackinac Associates' history."

Tickets may be reserved by calling membership coordinator Diane Dombroski at (231) 436- 4100. Reservations must be made by Friday, July 6.

The group will hold its annual meeting Saturday, August 4 at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City.