If there is a subway line capable of time travel, the Montgomery Senior Center was certainly a stop, if not Grand Central for that line on Saturday.

Dan and Stephanie Byam

Residents were drawn from their homes on Saturday to the Vintage Costume Ball, a part of the continuing Village of Montgomery Bicentennial celebrations.  Driving through the village they must have turned heads as they arrived in full costume, dressed as everything from General Ulysses S. Grant to beautifully dressed young ladies at a garden tea party.

“It’s a mix of costumes from 1810 to 2010,” said Rose Conroy, one of the garden tea party ladies.

The village held a similar event during the sesquicentennial celebration and again on its 175th birthday.  Stacey Brescia, chairperson of the Bicentennial Committee, stated that those events had been a “big smash” in the village, so they decided to follow suit.

“It’s part of the Montgomery tradition,” said Mayor Stephen Brescia.

Stacey Brescia stated that this time around some of those attending were “not as willing to dress up,” so they had made the costumes optional.  This resulted in an even larger spectrum of fashion at the ball.  At one point, a man in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts chatted with some friends in period dress off to one side, while General Montgomery busted a move on the dance floor with what appeared to be a flapper.

“It’s nice to see all the different eras people chose their costumes from,” said Trustee Darlene Andolsek.

Although some arrived in modern dress, the great majority were in some form of vintage clothing.

“I think it’s great this many people came dressed in period clothing,” said Marc Neuman, who had arrived dressed as General Montgomery.

“With the village’s 200th birthday, there are so many celebrations spread over the year.  I think it’s great.  It keeps the celebration going rather than just one day and it’s done,” said Neuman.

The costumes were eye-catching and the event was celebrated, but as the night wore on, those things seemed to fade.  In the end, it was simply a ball (party) attended by close friends and neighbors in the village.

The ball came complete with a bar in the back, a live band (Midlife Crisis), an open dance floor, food, a trivia contest, and door prizes provided by local businesses.  Some of those attending were drawn upstairs for some professional photos.  Over the music there was a steady stream of conversation and laughter as people moved from table to table or out onto the dance floor.

“It’s going well.  I just wish more people were here,” said Stacey Brescia.

Additional people did drift in after the ball’s official start time, and were quickly absorbed into the party.

“[The Bicentennial Committee] did some job.  We have a good crowd here.  It worked out really well,” said Mayor Stephen Brescia.

By RACHEL COLEMAN
rcoleman@tcnewspapers.com