The first formal masquerade ball held in the city in many a year was a roaring success March 6 for many of the revelers and a unique experience for all who came, says the chair of the Masquerade Committee.

"It was a thrilling evening, full of colour, spectacle, music & dancing, and food,” says Corinne Friesen, Chair of the Masquerade Committee. "From what others have told me, this event is a winner, so we will soon begin planning an even bigger masquerade next year."

The inaugural Museum Masquerade Ball was a fund-raiser for the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel and was mounted in hopes of becoming a permanent fund-raiser for the museum.

The event’s goal of 80 people was reached, and this number allowed the space to be designed to the optimum to allow room for people to dance and to easily move around the hall and to other rooms.

The maximum capacity would be about 136, but this would make for a very crowded event. Planning over the next year will increase the number, but probably not to the maximum level. There may also be more entertainment during the beginning reception and a break in the middle of the evening.

Museum Executive Director Garry Anderson says he is pleased with how the event went especially seeing that it was the first of its kind to be staged by the museum.

“It exceeded the expectations that the board and the committee had worked on so it will be a very good template for future improvements and expansion,” Anderson says.

It was a new kind of an event for Cranbrook, but this didn’t stop people from enjoying it. “I think some people weren’t sure what the masquerade was about and so they came not knowing what to expect. But once it was done, they realized how much fun it was they really enjoyed it. It was not stuffy. T wasn’t something people felt uncomfortable with. It was a very free and easy evening and that’s what we want it to be with style,” Anderson says.

Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak and his wife Raeleen attended the evening and headed the colourful processions into the Royal Alexandra Hall." It was a magical evening, full of wonder and spectacle. We absolutely plan to go again next year,” said Raeleen.

The reception and the processions involved many exotic capes and masks rented from the Museum. But others went further by wearing their own exotic creations. The museum capes and masks were designed to be removed right after the pre-event reception, but many people with their own costumes kept them on all night, adding to the festivities.

People enjoyed the wide variety of dance music which stretched from the 1940's to today, including Glenn Miller, the Beatles, Madonna and Lady Gaga. There was a rhythm for everyone. The three dance performances also added to the overall entertainment, and the light buffet was a winner with Heidi’s Restaurant catering a beautifully set up series of tasty cold and hot dishes.

Although this event has been in the planning stages since the Royal Alexandra Hall restoration started in 2000, the Museum was not able until this year to add it to its "permanent" plate of events. It also has other responsibilities that it must support on an on-going basis with limited staff who are assisted, when appropriate, by volunteers.

Anyone interested in joining the Committee can email the museum at mai@trainsdeluxe.com or call the Museum at 250-489-3918.