Black Tie & Blue Jeans Goes Roaring into 2020

Come down your "Giggle Water", "know your onions", "dump your mazuma" and jump on "the trolley" at the greatest 1920's party in Whitehall this year! Black Tie & Blue Jeans is celebrating with a "Roaring 2020 Prohibition Party" on Saturday, March 14, 2020 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Whitehall Community Center.

This is the 16th anniversary of Black Tie & Blue Jeans according to Kristi Wilson, one of two event coordinators. Started by Bill Brown, it has involved multiple agencies and organizations over the years including veteran's organizations, the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, and the Jefferson Valley Community Foundation.

Currently presented by the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson Valley Community Foundation, this event will include dinner, prizes, auctions, games, and a DJ for the evening. Attendees are invited to come as flappers, gangsters, silent screen stars, famous people from the 1920's , or simply show up in their favorite party clothes. There will be a chance to win $1000 as well as costume prizes, and a few secret surprises hidden throughout the evening.

The new theme this year also comes with a change in date. When asked why the event has moved up earlier in the calendar year, Kristi explained "It is just a better time of the year in working with the other events on the Chamber calendar. By moving it to March, it helps separate the workload between the many Chamber events."

"It also helps break up the long winter months and allows people to get out and have fun in the midst of all the long snowy days," adds Jill Dove, the other BTBJ coordinator. "This is a great new theme that allows us to do different things, like creating a jail cell where people have to bail their friends out during the evening."

"There will also be a mix of live and recorded music featuring Wayne Brothers & the Night Life Band", adds Kristi. "The price of ticket has remained the same for all 16 years. The addition of different levels of sponsorships have helped keep the prices down."

Different levels of sponsorships allow individuals, corporations, and local businesses all to participate in funding the event. Levels include Iron ($75), Bronze ($150), Copper ($250), Silver ($550), Gold ($1,500), or an Event Sponsorship for $2,500. Each level provides the donor with different amenities throughout the evening, including everything from drink tickets to Frontier Days Rodeo tickets.

For the 2020 Prohibition Party, the emphasis is on experiences as well as items entered in the auctions. Local businesses and supporters have gone all out this year in providing amazing trips, dining getaways, gift baskets, quilts, certificates, equipment and services.

Some of the auction packages include a one day horseback ride for two or a full day fishing trip (Iron Wheel Guest Ranch), 4 lift tickets (Great Divide Ski), Condo Stay in Las Vegas (Millie Baycroft), Float trip (Matt Dawson), lodging package (Xanterra Parks & Resorts), hotel stay (Great Northern Hotel), a night getaway from the Sacajawea Hotel which includes 1 room and dinner for 2, a one night stay and wine basket (Butte Plaza Inn), and more. There are items which include boxes of wine, photography mini session (Breanna Clements Photography), CATS stadium rag quilt/GRIZ stadium rag quilt (Quilt Haven Retreats), and many more baskets, services, and bid items.

According to the invitation flyer, this year, as in previous years, Black Tie & Blue Jeans will grant money to several local non-profits and the remaining proceeds will be divided between the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson Valley Community Foundation on an 85%/15% basis, with the JVCF providing the fiscal sponsorship with their 501c3 status.

The Chamber of Commerce uses its portion of the funds to support local non-profit groups and to fund local events such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Frontier Days, Frontier Days Rodeo, Shakespeare in the Park, the Library's Summer Reading program, Fall Festival and the Christmas Stroll, along with multiple other activities and events which invigorate the economy of the Whitehall Community. The Chamber also looks to sponsor projects which will enrich our community, such as a remodeling of the Whitehall Community Center Bathrooms.

The Jefferson Valley Community Foundation proceeds will be added to its Endowment Fund and to its administrative fund to support the current and future needs of the community. Proceeds from the JVCF Endowment fund have resulted in over $17,000 in grants returning to 44 non-profit volunteer organizations that support this community in the 19 years JVCF has existed.

In 2019, the following organizations received grant funds from this amazing event: 4 Paws Rescue, Liberty Place/Whitehall Public Transportation, Friends of the Whitehall community Library, Jefferson Valley Search and Rescue, Town of Whitehall Pool Commission, PULSE, and the Whitehall Community Center. Additional grant awards were given during the Jefferson Valley community Foundation's Short & Sweet grant session in October.

An event of this size is always in need of volunteers to setup, clean up, help with donated items, decorate, selling raffle tickets, checking out auction items, and miscellaneous tasks during the evening.

"Come spend a great night enjoying all the fun while helping your community," Jill reminds everyone. It only happens once a year, and this is going to be a party worthy of the Great Gatsby.