Due to continuing health and safety concerns related to COVID-19 and its variants, the Me and My Prince Ball Committee has decided to further postpone Hermiston’s 16th community father-daughter dance until May 22, 2023.
The ball’s organizers say that they are anxious to renew the annual tradition; however, their first priority is the safety of the event’s guests and volunteers.
“The committee has decided that it is better to err on the side of caution, than to risk the possibility of becoming a COVID hotspot, especially with so many precious young girls that attend,” said Michelle Kane, a ball committee member.
The Me and My Prince Ball is a formal/semi-formal dance for girls of all ages and their fathers/father figures. The all-volunteer committee first started the gala as a community project with the Girl Scouts of the USA’s local council before partnering with United Way of the Blue Mountains following the last ball that was held in 2019.
Next year’s dance will be held at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center in Hermiston from 6 to 9 p.m. The theme will still be Tale as Old as Time, which is inspired by Disney’s movie Beauty and the Beast. Corsages, boutonnieres, portraits and refreshments are included with the cost of admission.
“Each year that passes without putting on the ball is difficult for all of us,” said Kane, speaking on behalf of the committee. “It’s like we are frozen in time with our planning and preparations. It will be so nice to see everyone when we finally get together next year.”
The Me and My Prince Ball is a community event with the purpose of promoting healthy girl and male role model relationships by helping to strengthen the bonds between girls of all ages their fathers or other male role models.
Contributions that were sent in by businesses and individuals in 2020 to sponsor the ball will move forward to the 2023 event. In addition, United Way’s online sponsorship form will remain open for those who would also like to become sponsors. It is available online.
For more information about becoming a sponsor of the Me and My Prince Ball or questions about United Way, contact Christy Lieuallen, executive director of United Way of the Blue Mountains, at (509-676-9099. For general information about the ball, contact Kane at 541-564-5985.
