Tickets and table reservations are still available for the upcoming M.A.Y.O.R.'s (Making Achievements Yielding Outstanding Results) Ball.
Presented by former El Dorado Mayor Veronica Smith Creer under her M.A.Y.O.R Sunshine banner -- with assistance from El Dorado native Terry Davis of the Georgia-based My'StiQ Entertainment, an event management company -- the fifth annual ball is set for 7 - 11 p.m. on Jan. 27 in the El Dorado Conference Center, 311 S. West Ave.
Smith-Creer, who served as mayor from 2019 - 2022, launched the pre-inaugural event days before taking office in January of 2019.
She explained then that the purpose of the ball was to celebrate her election win -- she was the first black and first female mayor in the city's then 175-year-old-history -- and show appreciation to the community that supported her.
The ball is also an endeavor that supports charitable causes/organizations.
After leaving office, Smith-Creer pledged to continue the ball as a means of continuing to give back to the community and due to positive feedback she has received from the public about the event.
The 2024 ball will be a masquerade ball with a Mardi Gras theme, complete with the colors of the season -- purple, gold and green.
Smith-Creer said the colors are meant to accent the party and not serve as the overall color scheme, noting that attendees are asked to wear formal attire.
The event will include heavy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.
Smith-Creer also noted that the hor d'oeuvres will be inspired by New Orleans cuisine and prepared by Chef Keelan Burke, a NOLA native.
Two high-tier sponsors for the ball are Victory Daycare and Leprechaun Liquor in Hampton, noting their logos will appear on party backdrops.
Other sponsorship levels are also available.
Other sponsors include Yes, I Can - Faye Brown; Elder House Adult Daycare Center; Complete Home Care; MMS Rural Clinic - Dr. Mimo Rose Lemdja of Stephens; and artist Billy Edmond, a Dallas-based artist whose medium is natural wood sculptures.
Edmond's work will be on display at the ball, Smith-Creer said.
Entertainment will be provided by DJ Brandon Moore, Erick Meadows and more.
Smith-Creer said she wanted to place an emphasis on and utilize local businesses and entertainers in the planning this year's ball.
Proceeds from the ball are donated to charitable causes and have supported research for sickle cell disease (Smith-Creer's younger sister, Vemetric Smith-Foster, 46, died in 2017 from complications of the disease); small businesses/entrepreneurs and the Downtown Business Association; and Turning Point of South Arkansas.
Nominees for the 2024 charity are
Jason Alan's Barber College; The Kidney Foundation, in care of Angela Goodwin and Andre Singleton, both kidney transplant recipients; U R Not Alone Foundation: Suicide Awareness and Ruth Royalty Scholarship Foundation for cancer awareness.
Smith-Creer said masquerade masks will also be available for sale during the ball, with proceeds going to charity.
Capacity for the event is limited and tickets will not be available at the door if ticket sales reach the capacity prior to Jan. 27, she said. She urged people who plan to attend the ball to purchase tickets in advance.
Tickets and table reservations are available for $50 each and may be purchased at www.eventbrite.com,CashApp $VeronicaCreer or Zelle 870-315-1459.
For more information, call Smith-Creer at 870-315-1459 or Davis at 404-542-1565.