by Curtis D. Tucker
Posted: 03/02/16
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An Invitation to the 2016 Speakers Ball // Enid, OK from GrowEnid on Vimeo.
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Enid hosted the 2016 Speaker's Ball on behalf of Speaker of the House Jeffrey Hickman and his wife Jana. The event was held February 28th at the Enid Event Center in downtown Enid. Proceeds from the event went to support the Food for Kids Backpack Program.
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This was the first time in its history, the Oklahoma Speaker's Ball was held outside of Oklahoma City or Tulsa. The Speaker's Ball is an annual event designed to build camaraderie among members of the state legislature. Current Oklahoma Speaker Jeff Hickman (R, Fairview) wanted to hold this year's ball in northwest Oklahoma and chose Enid.
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The evening included a cocktail reception, dinner and a journey through Oklahoma's musical history from Bob Wills to Vince Gill and Beyond.
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The staff and crew at the Enid Event Center transformed the space into an elegant setting for one of the biggest events Enid has seen in decades. A full truck of black carpet was brought from OKC to cover the floors from Convention Hall through the entry way into the entire space of the event center.
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Over 80 tables were set with fine china, bottles of wine, commemorative wine glasses, event programs and were centered with floral arrangements or ice sculptures. The Event Center recruited additional employees from TPI and also used students from the local college to help as servers and waiters. Additional chefs were also brought in.
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The event began as attendees arrived outside Enid Convention Hall on S. Independence. A dozen or so valets were there to park cars as attendees walked the red carpet into the lobby of Convention Hall. Once inside there was a sign in table and plenty of elbow rubbing.
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An early VIP reception was going on inside Convention Hall as other guests made their way down the red carpet entry between the two buildings. Music from a grand piano serenaded event goers as they passed under a draped tunnel created by Enid Floral.
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Once inside the event center it was hard to believe this was the same space used for concerts, basketball and bull riding. The black carpet, draped sides and event lighting had transformed the space into a grand ballroom. Guests had drinks while they mingled and had photos taken in multiple locations throughout the room.
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Over 800 people were served during the black tie event. It was fine dining at its best. Enid's own, Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb, was the emcee for the evening. The night was filled with introductions and music. It was topped off with dancing on the ballroom floor.
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