‘So, what’s the deal with the Vietnamese Ball?”

“VIENNESE Ball. It’s the Viennese Ball.”

At the time, this made no more or less sense to me. This was back in the spring of 2014, when I was teaching my second semester at UW-Eau Claire, and had heard rumblings about some kind of adult prom with a really random foreign-country theme. What did Vienna (or Vietnam, for that matter) have to do with Wisconsin?

Having just attended my first, and the university’s 43rd, Viennese Ball, I now can answer that question.

The Viennese Ball was, hands-down, the fanciest affair I have ever attended, more formal than a Manhattan black-tie gala. There were men in morning coats (think Downton Abbey) and very few cocktail dresses – glittery floor-length gowns were the norm.

Not being native to this area puts me in the unique position of fully appreciating oddball cultural traditions in the Chippewa Valley that most residents take for granted (see also: dairy breakfasts). Because whether you go to the Viennese Ball every year (as many do) or have never gone despite having lived here for decades, chances are you know what it is and don’t think it’s all that bizarre. You probably don’t give it another thought when Water Street is suddenly overrun with folks in ball gowns and tuxedos: Oh yeah, must be the Viennese Ball, that weekend in April when we celebrate 19th-century Vienna by recreating Emperor Franz Joseph’s New Year’s Eve Kaiser’s Ball.

When you’re a newbie, however, the above sounds completely insane. Which partly explains why I didn’t go to “V Ball” until this year, when curiosity finally got the better of me. The other factor that kept me away was cost – while students get a discount, faculty do not, and it is a steep investment (about $50) to experience the largest Viennese Ball outside of Vienna (a claim verified with official documentation back in 1988). I was a little surprised to learn that the cost of the ticket did not cover any food or drink, given that the event lasts for six and a half hours(!).

However, now that I have attended, I can say without hesitation that it’s worth every penny – especially when you consider that those pennies go toward funding music, service, and international study scholarships for UWEC students. I had a ball – literally – and it felt good to waltz (and swing and polka) for a great cause. For those who may be reading this and are on the fence about going, let me attempt to articulate my impressions of a night I will not soon forget:

The clothes and people-watching alone are worth the price of admission. While the Upper Midwest tends to be more casual than other places I’ve lived (traditional ‘Sconnie weddings often feature lawn games and kegs of Leinie’s), the Viennese Ball was, hands-down, the fanciest affair I have ever attended, more formal than a Manhattan black-tie gala. There were men in morning coats (think Downton Abbey) and very few cocktail dresses – glittery floor-length gowns were the norm. Most of the women sported up-dos adorned with sparkly barrettes or flowers; I even saw a few fascinators. One woman appeared to be wearing a period costume complete with a bustle and corset. I spent a good part of the evening ignoring my date and gaping in awe at my fellow guests.

The scope and breadth of the event also defies description. It takes up all three floors of the Davies Center. There are numerous maps and photographs of – you guessed it – Vienna, and gorgeous hanging topiaries everywhere. There are bars and “eating establishments” everywhere you turn, offering different delicacies (pro-tip: try the elk pastrami). We were also mysteriously permitted to buy an entire bottle of Grüner Veltliner (an Austrian white wine varietal) and just carry it around with us, refilling our glasses at will. I sincerely regret not trying any of the lavish desserts (or the $10 midnight breakfast, which smelled amazing).

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the variety of activities and performances on offer. This is what really sets the event apart from a prom, unless your prom had living statues and a Grammy-winning jazz ensemble. The Ojibwe Ballroom is where the waltzing and swing dancing take place, accompanied by Jazz I and the University Symphony Orchestra. For the polka-inclined, Wausau-based Dorf Kapelle had you covered on the first floor, opposite the Davies food court Naschmarkt. I also stopped by the Cabin to hear a performance by a quartet of voice faculty. Before I knew it, it was after midnight, and the festivities were winding down. In the piano bar, “Edelweiss” was sung wistfully by the crowd, followed by two consecutive solo performances of “I Dreamed a Dream.” It was a fitting, if surreal, way for the evening to end.

Perhaps most surprising to me was the number of students present – many were performing or volunteering, but hundreds were just there to support their peers and have a good time. I had assumed it would be a stuffier, older crowd, but The Viennese Ball is truly an event with multigenerational appeal. A former student of mine who checked my coat told me that although she graduated two years ago, she still likes to come back for V Ball. I smiled knowingly, because I finally understand what the fuss is all about.