The Black and White Ball is an event like no other. Every three years, beginning in 1960, alumni from Douglass High School and other local high schools come together for a fun-filled weekend that includes a parade through downtown Columbia, live music and dancing at a ball and a family picnic. It’s time for this year’s celebration, and the theme is “The Dream Lives On”.
Here is all that is happening at this year’s celebration:
The festivities begin Friday, August 3. Nora Stewart will have an open house at the Early Learning Center for Alums and their families from 1 to 6 p.m. There will be a Welcome Reception and tour of Douglass High School from 6 – 8 p.m.
On Saturday, there will be a parade beginning at 10:15 a.m. that will start and finish at The Armory and go to 7th and Ash. Following the parade from 12 – 3 p.m., The Blind Boone home will be open for tours. The Black and White Ball will begin at 8 p.m. at the Kimball Ballroom at Stephens College. Nora Stewart will have an open house for Alums and their families on Friday from 1 to 6 p.m.
There will be a picnic Sunday at 1 p.m. at Douglass Park, and food will be served until 4 p.m. Please remember to bring your Ball tickets.
Tickets can be purchased from May Hall, Frank Gardner, Dave Turner, Fran Tibbs, Velma Buckner, Bill Thompson and Alma Tapp. The cost is $60.00 and covers the Friday reception at Douglass High School, the Black and White Ball Saturday night and the Family Picnic in Douglass Park on Sunday.
The Black & White Ball Ball and all the other events tied to this weekend celebration are marked with history and tradition. This historic event is a homecoming for families and friends to come back to Columbia and share memories and stories from their past. It’s a chance to look back and see how much and how little has changed over the years, all while taking part in fun-filled events that go on throughout the weekend.
People come from all over to attend this weekend celebration, and it proves to be a wonderful homecoming every time.
