By Natalie Bieser
May 22, 2012
If you heard anyone say, “There was nothing to do” this past weekend, they clearly live under a rock or do not keep up with the iSPYCINCY event calendar. Between Friday, May 18th and Sunday, May 20th there were no shortage of wonderful Cincinnati events including: Smale Riverfront Park Opening, Spring Fling at Coney Island, Go OTR 5K & Summer Celebration, PLN Dodgeball Tournament at Fountain Square, Exhibitionism 2, Rev it Up for Meals on Wheels, Asian Fest at the Banks, and the list goes on…
Kindervelt Citywide President, Buffie Rixey (center) was one of the honorees. She’s pictured with daughter, Sarah (right) and Natalie Bieser.
However, the most spectacular and largest attended gala of the weekend was the 8th Annual Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Celestial Ball held on Saturday, May 19th at the Duke Energy Center. More than 1,000 guests attended the fundraising gala and helped raise over $500,000 for the medical center – making this year’s event the most successful one to date!
The first part of the evening was a sit down black tie dinner and ceremony honoring Kindervelt, Cincinnati Children’s largest fundraising auxiliary. Honored for its 40 years of service and $15 million impact on the medical center Kindervelt’s founding members and many of its nearly 1000 volunteers were on-hand to celebrate the achievements.
Leslie Lakamp, Liz Murphy, Kate Halonen, and Katie Schuckman
Around 10 p.m. gala dinner guests transitioned to the other area of the ballroom where the after-party crowd set up shop. The ballroom, a.k.a. “Club Vegas,” was decked out in raised lounges with black and white leather furniture, red shag rugs, AND psychedelic light projections. Saweeeet!
Drinks were flowing, the candy bar was stocked and Cincinnati’s favorite party band, Soul Pocket, rocked the house all night long.
Paige Parkhouse, Jena Miller, Liz Hein, Jenny Krehbiel, and Andi Sebastian
Move over photo booth, the Celestial Ball introduced a new photography experience, PicFlips. Guests stepped behind a video camera and in less than 90 seconds, the video clip is transformed into a personalized flip book which partygoers get to take home as memorable keepsake.
I haven’t been to an event of this caliber in a long time. And I know it was a blast because I stayed until they booted me out. Let’s just say it was a lil’ past my bedtime. Totally worth it though.
Allison Ross, Andrew Davis, and Lauren Dubas
Let’s not lose sight, however, of the real reason behind this party for a cause, which, of course, is the only way to party. Proceeds from the Celestial Ball After Party benefitted Cincinnati Children’s Charitable Care Fund, a fund that ensures all children receive the quality healthcare they need.
For more information about Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, please visit, http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/giving/default/.
*Photo credits: Natalie Bieser, Janine Spang Photography, and Todd Livingston Photography
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