The Washington Diplomat

35th Meridian Ball Dazzles D.C.

On Oct. 2, more than 600 people attended the 35th annual Meridian Ball for a sparkling evening of fun, splendid conversation and generous support for one of Washington’s most important institutions.

A celebrated social event in Washington, the Meridian Ball was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Congress, the Supreme Court, the Bush administration and leaders from the city’s business and cultural communities.

The theme of this year’s ball was “Celebrating an Evening Around the World.” Appropriately, the evening began with dinners at 37 embassies, after which the festivities moved to the Meridian Center for dessert and dancing.

Embassies hosting dinners were Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

First Lady Laura Bush served as honorary patron of the ball and State Department Chief of Protocol Donald B. Ensenat was the honorary chairman. Co-chairs of the ball were Lois Breaux, Karyn Frist and Olivia Jones.

The magnificent setting of the historic Meridian House and its impressive gardens were accentuated with special lighting, elaborate decorations and handsome floral arrangements. Guests lingered in the elegant candle-lit garden under a spectacular autumn sky.

A continuing feature of the Meridian Ball is the Young Benefactor’s dinner, which is held at the historic White-Meyer House and is designed to acquaint younger audiences with the Meridian International Center, a non profit institution that offers a wide range of outreach, exchange and arts programs that help to promote international understanding.

The ball funds Meridian’s many community programs. The center relies on private sector funds to support its art and cultural initiatives, international exhibitions, world affairs programs and the resident diplomatic corps.

—John Shaw and Katherine Tallmadge