Love was in the air last Friday night, Feb. 27, at the Book Lover’s Ball: A Regency Romance at The Stanley Hotel Pavilion.
The Estes Valley Library and Macdonald Bookshop created an “evening of elegance and imagination” as a free library program. The Stanley Hotel donated the venue, which featured a large dance floor lit by chandeliers.
The ballroom looked like a scene out of Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” with more than 130 guests decked out in ballroom gowns, fancy headpieces, and other Regency-era attire.
For two hours, patrons danced, ate beautiful and delicious appetizers, created various Regency-inspired crafts, won raffle prizes, posed for photos, and socialized in their finest clothes, mostly inspired by the Regency theme.
This gala was the brainchild of Breanna Vegas, the youth services librarian, and Anastacia Galloway Reed, who owns both Macdonald Bookshop and Inkwell and Brew with her husband, Kevin Reed.
Vegas said she knew the event would be a winner within 24 hours of opening online registration mid-January, based on the number of immediate registrations. Within two weeks, the 100-person limit was reached, and a wait list was initiated. Vegas then raised the cap to 125, then to 140, and finally to 155, eliminating the wait list.
The various craft tables scattered around the ballroom also reflected the crowd’s enthusiasm for the event, as many guests moved from table to table, completing projects such as framed pages from old books with silhouetted profiles, calligraphy written with quills and inkwells, paper rose bouquets, and more.
The evening was funded by Cliffhanger Used Books and the Estes Valley Library Friends and Foundation, with sponsorship from Macdonald Bookshop and The Stanley Hotel.
Live music from the Regency period was provided by “Hoopsii Harmony,” including harpist Alaina Bongers and flautist Rebecca Quillen..
The dance floor was fluid, fancy, and festive as the partiers moved gracefully in their elegant fashions. Vegas called out instructions for Regency-era dances she learned from YouTube videos.
People who danced earned raffle tickets and won prizes, like a beautiful set of Jane Austen’s complete works. Prizes were donated by Macdonald Bookshop.
Almost everyone was dressed in costume, some more elaborate than others.
“The guests really got into the spirit of the evening, which helped everyone embrace the atmosphere and feel like they were at a Regency ball,” said Macdonald Bookshop employee Terri Hess, who was dressed on theme and worked the gala.
Vegas was very happy with the outcome of months of work. One of her goals was to create a “fun and safe place for teens,” so she and Reed created this alcohol-free party. She said, “This event gave a positive voice to the library.”
Reed likes how the ball grew into this multifaceted event. “I loved the partnership with the library. You lift as you climb,” she said, indicating how working together had elevated the event. Both Reed and Vegas commented on the multigenerational aspect of the crowd.
Vegas was very happy that the “memorable evening was one in which generations gathered together in harmony and delight” and added, “I am quite overcome with gratitude” to have been charged with planning the event.
The party was comprised of some enthusiastic teens, many adults and senior adults, and some children 10 and over. At 89 years old, Estes resident Myrna Houchens shined in her gold gown, and at least one 10-year-old was there, who said he enjoyed the dancing and the crafts he made.
Macdonald Bookshop Manager Nicole Hess and employee Terri Hess sold books by Julia Quinn, which inspired the “Bridgerton” series, Jane Austen novels, and other titles in the Regency-era romance genre.
Catering was by the library’s own Apelles Morales, Children’s Librarian, and guests commented on the aesthetics of the treats as well as the taste.
Most guests said they were from the Front Range area, but there was also a woman from Texas in attendance.
Vegas and Reed are both hoping to recreate this experience next year. They are already assessing this year’s event to ensure next year’s ball is another success.
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