Gingerbread cheesecake and a nutcracker taller than a house are two things that you don’t expect to encounter in late July. Much to our delight though, those were just the beginning of the delightful tastes and sights that enveloped the festive guests at the Rochester Downtown District Authority’s “Big, Bright Light Ball” held July 25th at the Royal Park Hotel.
“The Big, Bright Light Ball” was the first annual fundraiser for the ambitious Big Bright Light Show. The show has quickly become a December tradition, with an impressive display of lights that completely awash the entire facade of several blocks of buildings on main street and beyond.
The glamorously ornate Royal Park Hotel, as the event’s hosting venue, was the perfect place to transform into a winter wonderland for the well-dressed and cheery guests of all ages.
The Ball offered an enchanting variety of options for the attendees to participate in, most delectably being the delicious offerings from local restaurants including Mind, Body and Spirits, Andiamo’s and Sander’s amongst several others.
To the delight of many younger guests, a creative opportunity to make their own magic wand was a favorite of the night. The sparkly decorated hearts and stars filled the hands of many girls as they also danced the night away on the large floor throughout the evening to traditional party hits spun by a local DJ.
A unique silent auction was a great success for the event, with the winners receiving jewelry, gift certificates and even medical tests and evaluations donated by local businesses. Along with the auction, the event’s coordinators Kristi Trevarrow and Sheila Harris created a raffle to give one lucky guest the memorable opportunity to be the one to officially “flip the switch” for the beginning of this upcoming Big, Bright Light Show.
The Big, Bright Ball was a beautiful glimpse of what makes Rochester a special place to call home. As all conversed with friends new and old, enjoyed the tastes, and donated to a cause that celebrates our community, it wasn’t hard to see that this year the Big Bright Light Show will once again be more than just a colorful and elaborate decoration. The lights themselves will represent the hearts of all those who love Rochester, and the priceless joy that is inevitable to all who see our downtown shining again this December.
About Heidi Morris