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Debutante Balls Research Paper

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A high-society staple of Southern culture, debutante balls are rooted in European tradition. Dating back to the 19th century, debutante balls allowed wealthy fathers to formally present their daughters to European society as eligible bachelorettes. Today, Southern culture adopts debutante balls as one of their own. Characterized by the wealth and glamour of the traditional European balls, Southern debutante balls are nothing less than elegant affairs. Embodying past traditions, a debutante ball serves as a young woman’s rite of passage into society as an adult. Highly exclusive events, debutantes typically come from well-to-do families and picked through a selective process. Once chosen, the young women usually go through training in preparation …show more content…

One of the most prestigious balls in the state, the Ball of Roses, takes place at the Birmingham Country Club. As one of the first balls to kick-off of the debutante season in Birmingham, the Ball of Roses is thrown annually in late May or early June. A grandiose affair, event coordinators often solicit professional help to prepare the country club for one of the most lavish events of the year. Last year, the event was decorated by professional floral designer Carole Sullivan of Lagniappe Designs. Sullivan filled the country club with rose floral arrangements to create an elegant backdrop that surrounded the debutantes in natural beauty as they made their formal debut into society. This year, the country club will once again radiate with elegance as a new set of debutantes make their formal debut at the 58th annual Ball of Roses. Not only a night for formal debuts, the Ball of Roses is rooted in philanthropic efforts. The first Ball of Roses took place in 1961 as a philanthropic event for the Ballet Guild of Birmingham, which supports the Alabama Ballet through volunteer efforts and fundraisers. After the success of their first ball, the guild continued the new tradition year after

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