Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Ball gown competition returns to Civil War Re-enactment
 |
| Sharon Brown models a Civil War era ball gown. Ball gown competition will return to the Battle of Pea Ridge Civil War Re-enactment in Keokuk this year. |
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
The 20th annual Battle of Pea Ridge Civil War Re-enactment, April 27-29 in Keokuk, will have several added features this year to help celebrate the event's two-decade mark.
For example, this year's Military Ball on Saturday, April 28, at Keokuk High School, 2285 Middle Road, will not only feature the nationally renowned Americus Brass Band, but also will have another treat in store.
“We're bringing back the ball gown competition,” said Kirk Brandenberger, executive director of the Keokuk Area Convention and Tourism Bureau. “The prize will be for the first-, second- and third-place winners. We're hunting now for a special accessory as a prize, something that will complement a gown.
“If you have your ball gown in the closet, get it out. You enter the ball gown competition by being there. Sign up when you enter.”
The Military Ball begins at 7:30 p.m. and costs $10.
Former Keokuk resident Sharon Brown will judge the competition. She and her husband Mark, re-enactors and co-creators of the Battle of Pea Ridge Re-enactment, will return to Keokuk to participate in the three-day celebration.
The Browns were a U.S. Coast Guard family, stationed in Keokuk.
“Sharon and I lived across the street from Rand Park,” Mark Brown said. “We saw the history of Keokuk and that location and realized it could make a great event for the city.”
After numerous meetings with then Executive Director Marilyn Pohorsky and the Keokuk Area Convention and Tourism Bureau board as well as several different groups in Keokuk, the current three-day event was born.
The ball gown competition was an important component of the re-enactment in the early days of the event, drawing local interest and participation.
Mark Brown believes many area women and re-enactors have beautiful Civil War Era or reproduction ball gowns stashed away that will come out of mothballs for the Military Ball.
“A lot of people have the gowns because it was a fierce competition,” he said. “A lot of the ball gown competitors were actually from the local Keokuk area. People in Keokuk are pretty astute and they're as competitive as anybody. The awareness of this is out there. It really turned into a great deal. People on the East Coast heard about it.”
Sharon Brown is well-qualified as a judge of period ball gowns. She has officiated at numerous national competitions and works as an advisor and costume consultant throughout the country, providing workshops to 1,400 living history sites. She also has been and is a museum curator to some of the nation's biggest historical collections, developing historical fabric collections for several fabric manufacturers from her research and her own garments.
Judging will be based on the merits of a gown and its authenticity to the styles of 1858 to 1865. Also considered will be cut, construction techniques, materials, fit and finishing (appropriate trims, etc.).
Appropriate undergarments will help achieve the correct silhouette, and the participant's hair style, jewelry and accessories will be taken under consideration.
“This is not a pocketbook competition, or in other words, who can buy the most expensive accessories to win,” Brandenberger said. “However, these things do affect the overall appearance of the ball gown.”
Eighteen years ago at the Keokuk performance, “Our American Cousins,” Mark Brown portrayed John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln.
Brown will recreate his role Friday, April 27, at a presentation of the play's first act at the Grand Theatre, assisted by members of The Great River Players.
For example, this year's Military Ball on Saturday, April 28, at Keokuk High School, 2285 Middle Road, will not only feature the nationally renowned Americus Brass Band, but also will have another treat in store.
“We're bringing back the ball gown competition,” said Kirk Brandenberger, executive director of the Keokuk Area Convention and Tourism Bureau. “The prize will be for the first-, second- and third-place winners. We're hunting now for a special accessory as a prize, something that will complement a gown.
“If you have your ball gown in the closet, get it out. You enter the ball gown competition by being there. Sign up when you enter.”
The Military Ball begins at 7:30 p.m. and costs $10.
Former Keokuk resident Sharon Brown will judge the competition. She and her husband Mark, re-enactors and co-creators of the Battle of Pea Ridge Re-enactment, will return to Keokuk to participate in the three-day celebration.
ADVERTISEMENT |
“Sharon and I lived across the street from Rand Park,” Mark Brown said. “We saw the history of Keokuk and that location and realized it could make a great event for the city.”
After numerous meetings with then Executive Director Marilyn Pohorsky and the Keokuk Area Convention and Tourism Bureau board as well as several different groups in Keokuk, the current three-day event was born.
The ball gown competition was an important component of the re-enactment in the early days of the event, drawing local interest and participation.
Mark Brown believes many area women and re-enactors have beautiful Civil War Era or reproduction ball gowns stashed away that will come out of mothballs for the Military Ball.
“A lot of people have the gowns because it was a fierce competition,” he said. “A lot of the ball gown competitors were actually from the local Keokuk area. People in Keokuk are pretty astute and they're as competitive as anybody. The awareness of this is out there. It really turned into a great deal. People on the East Coast heard about it.”
Sharon Brown is well-qualified as a judge of period ball gowns. She has officiated at numerous national competitions and works as an advisor and costume consultant throughout the country, providing workshops to 1,400 living history sites. She also has been and is a museum curator to some of the nation's biggest historical collections, developing historical fabric collections for several fabric manufacturers from her research and her own garments.
Judging will be based on the merits of a gown and its authenticity to the styles of 1858 to 1865. Also considered will be cut, construction techniques, materials, fit and finishing (appropriate trims, etc.).
Appropriate undergarments will help achieve the correct silhouette, and the participant's hair style, jewelry and accessories will be taken under consideration.
“This is not a pocketbook competition, or in other words, who can buy the most expensive accessories to win,” Brandenberger said. “However, these things do affect the overall appearance of the ball gown.”
Eighteen years ago at the Keokuk performance, “Our American Cousins,” Mark Brown portrayed John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln.
Brown will recreate his role Friday, April 27, at a presentation of the play's first act at the Grand Theatre, assisted by members of The Great River Players.
 |
||
| School board to ask Barrett to fill vacancy |
Reader Comments
| Please log in or create an account by filling out the form on the right. | |
