We Love Northern Ball takes horse racing derby theme for 2017

The Montana State University-Northern Alumni Foundation has invited people to attend a Kentucky Derby-themed gala for this year's We Love Northern Ball Saturday, an annual event that raises money for scholarships for students.

Jim Bennett, director of the Northern Alumni Foundation, which organizes the event, said this year's ball in the Armory Gymnasium will consist of horse race-themed games, a lady's hat contest, derby-themed drinks, Southern cuisine, dancing and several drawings.

"So it's going to be a great time," Bennett said.

Bennett said that the formality and tradition of the Kentucky Derby, a yearly horse race in Louisville, Kentucky, lends itself well to the ball.

"I think that it also gives people the chance to kind of escape Havre for the night and feel like they are somewhere else doing something fun and different," he said.

People are encouraged to dress as if they are attending a derby, he added, with men wearing sports coats and bow ties, and women wearing dresses.

Becca Stone, alumni associate with the foundation, said what people wore at the derby was often an indicator of where they sat, with the wealthier and more formally dressed sitting in the higher bleachers while those in the lower bleachers less formally dressed.

She said pastels and garments with printed patterns on them are also fairly common garb for a derby-goer.    

The doors open at 6 p.m for a cocktail hour. People will have  a chance to enjoy hors d'ouvres, socialize and take part in games, Bennett said.

Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. A menu provided by the Alumni Association said ballgoers will be served a Romaine, red onion and cantaloupe salad tossed in a red onion and poppy seed vinaigrette. The main course will consist of Kentucky bourbon-glazed sirloin steak topped with a cucumber, tomato and mint salsa. Three-cheese macaroni and cheese, steamed seasoned rainbow carrots and a variety of homemade biscuits with whipped butter finish out the main meal.

The menu said several deserts will be served including chocolate pecan cake, peach pie and Derby bourbon truffles.     

Vics Place in Havre will have a bar at the event, Bennett said.  

"I think once dinner is over, people will probably get up and play the games a little bit more, and we will do a few drawings too,' he said.

Live music will be provided by the local country band Plowed Under starting at 9 p.m.

Bennett said that last year's Hollywood stars-themed ball brought in $37,000 for scholarships.  

He said this year the foundation hopes to raise at least $30,000, money that is crucial in making college affordable, especially at a time when tuition is likely to rise.

Tickets are $100 a plate. A table of eight can be reserved for $1,000, which also includes open access to the bar.

People can purchase tickets by calling the Alumni Foundation office at 265-3711 or visiting http://www.Northernalumnifoundation.org.