Pacific Pride Royal Ball

The Pacific Pride Foundation (PPF) turned the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort Chandelier Room into a Platinum Palace, literally. As designer Merryl Brown said, “There will be elements of muted gold and ivory floral and masses of silver.” The Royal Ball is so over the top, they only hold it every two years. Guests arrived with swank and swagger and proceeded to the Grand Lawn to check in and have their photos taken at the step and repeat stage that was all draped in silver fabric. Party people were decked out in black tie, diamonds, sequins, feathers, tiaras, and anything that glittered. It was dazzling and flamboyant and you couldn’t be over dressed for this fête.

Then on to the ballroom and bars for cocktails and conversation. Besides lighting in a rainbow of colors there were royal boxes with gilded furnishings, intimate dining tables, and gorgeous floral arrangements which were all reserved. As co-chair Justine Roddick said, “The Royal Ball not only raises funds for the impactful work that PPF does, but it is an abundantly fun night for our sponsors and donors that puts a lot of joy into the art of giving!” Lynn Brown was not only the other co-chair but president of the board as well.

The dance floor was large for the sold-out crowd of 400. DJ Alex Merrell, who has many celebrity clients like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, was at work. Dancing went on until the bewitching hour of midnight. There was also a floorshow with A Boy Band, dancers, and singers. Dinner was served at stations any time you chose to eat.

Executive director Colette Schabram would like us to know, “PPF serves more than 10,000 people in Santa Barbara County. The Royal Ball generates critical funds for programs and services for about two years of operations.” PPF has free HIV testing and counseling, suicide prevention, anti-bullying, mental health, and opioid crisis response programs either free or at low cost. There are both youth (serving 200 kids) and elder programs. PPF addresses the opioid crisis through the only clean needle exchange program in the county which program collects about 100,000 used needles every year and distributes Narcan kits that have saved 90 people from fatal overdoses in the past year. The Royal Ball has been at work for seven years to fund these programs. PPF is the largest LGBTO+ center between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It partners with 35 other educational and nonprofit agencies.

It was a good time for a good cause! For more information or to make a donation visit https://pacificpridefoundation.org.