Planning is underway for a Victorian Harvest Ball to be held on Sunday, Oct. 31, at the Schneider Parish Center, 2995 Cemetery Road, Parkesburg. The first-time event will include a catered dinner, a silent auction, historic displays and the Victorian Dance Ensemble, which will demonstrate dance steps and provide instruction.

The Victorian Harvest Ball is a fundraiser for Parkesburg's 150th anniversary celebration, to be held on Friday to Sunday, May 20 to 22, 2022. "It's almost a prelude to some of the activities we will enjoy in 2022," said Kathleen Hood, a member of the Parkesburg Sesquicentennial Committee.

The event will open with a social hour and hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction and a cash bar from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. A catered dinner will be served buffet-style from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Guests will be seated at round tables in the parish center. "The meal will be catered by Traditions Catering," Hood noted. "We will provide a mini dessert selection."

From 7:30 to 9 p.m., attendees can continue to bid on silent auction items as well as view historic displays by Gerry Treadway, Parkesburg historian and author of "Parkesburg Bottles." Author Bruce Mowday will be on hand during the social hour to sign copies of his book, "Parkesburg." Professional photographer Shelly McKenna will be available to take event photos and portraits.

The Victorian Dance Ensemble, which is the performing troupe of the Civil War Dance Foundation, will perform and instruct from 8 to 10 p.m. "They will be coming in full costume," Hood pointed out. "We are encouraging folks to wear period garb, but that is optional. They can come as they wish."

She noted that several venues were considered before the committee chose the Schneider Parish Center to host the event. "The Schneider Parish Center is large enough to accommodate us," Hood noted. "They use the space for a variety of activities, (including) weekly Masses. This was the perfect option. It's a beautiful space. We feel lucky to have it."

The Victorian Harvest Ball is a joint effort between the Parkesburg Sesquicentennial Committee and the Parkesburg Area Special Events Committee, and it is supported by the Parkesburg Historic Commission.

"We are planning a special take-home item for everyone who attends to help them remember the dates for the sesquicentennial anniversary in 2022," Hood said, adding, "We're excited to offer this (Victorian Harvest Ball) whether people want to dance or spectate. It doesn't really matter. It's an event for the whole community."

Tickets are available at the Parkesburg Municipal Building, 315 W. First Ave., Building 1, Parkesburg. Tickets can also be purchased at http://www.facebook.com/ParkesburgSesquicentennial or http://www.eventbrite.com by searching for "Parkesburg Victorian Harvest Ball." For additional information, email ParkesburgSesquicentennial@gmail.com. More information about the Parkesburg Sesquicentennial is available on the Facebook page.