Your mask for HMCC Masquerade

Looking for a mask to wear at the Harvest Fest Masquerade Ball?
Start at Michaels in New Minas  - where they are 40% off.
The above mask is one of several.
Or you can make your own.

A limited number of tickets costing $15 a person are available at PharmaSave. Singles, couples, dancers, and viewers are welcome. Wear a costume reflecting any style which a person might wear to a ball in the 1880s. A mask is mandatory to hide your identity until the unmasking!

The Musicians

Elizabeth MacDonald has taught people to dance for more than 30 years. Originally a Highland dancer and accredited instructor, she discovered Irish set and ceili dancing while living in Toronto in the late 1980s. She has taught traditional Irish social dance since 1992 in Halifax and, while living overseas for four years, in Brussels, Belgium.

Elizabeth is also credited with introducing Irish sean-nos step dance to Nova Scotia. She has led workshops and called ceilis throughout the Maritime provinces, northern France and Belgium, including Boxwood Festival, Deep Roots Festival, Feis Nova Scotia, Fundy Feis, PEI Irish Weekend, Rocky Bay Irish Festival and Dance Traditionelle Quebec.

Her contribution to Irish traditional dance in Canada was recognized by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE) with her induction into the Canadian Eastern Region Music Hall of Fame. She will be accompanied by Jeremy Finney.

Bagpipes may or may not be present.( Is that a promise or a threat?)

The Program:

Guests will arrive at the front door of the Churchill House by 9 PM and circulate.

At 9:15 PM, Mr. and Mrs Ezra Churchill will descend the grand staircase and have the first dance. A princess may appear. When Jeremy stops playing at short intervals, both the Churchills will ask others to dance with them. And so on. This will continue for a few minutes. Women may dance with women. Men may dance with men.

Dancing will continue until 10:30 PM with some instruction from Elizabeth and lots of fun. 

Participants will unmask at 10:30 PM. Refreshments usually enjoyed at similar events in the late 1880s will be served. 

Glasses of pomme de terre frappé ( mashed potatoes - believe it or not, that’s what was really served!) With toppings such as salsa, cream cheese, curried chicken. 

Sweets such as London Fog cookies and Icebox cookies, strawberry tarts, etc. 

Beverages -  tea and punch.

Music will include country dances and polkas. (Waltzes were considered to be daring because women were actually held in their partners‘ arms! )     

Dancing will resume at 11 PM and continue until midnight.902-684-3876

Fabulous prizes will be presented! 

Although this is intended as a fun event, any profit will be donated to Hantsport Memorial Community Centre.

Questions or comments? Call Heather  902-684-3876. Or comment below.