According to Milena Ricci, publicity chair for the event, the theme of “Party of the Century” came out of a brainstorm among the committee members. “The overall consensus was that committee members wanted the 100th to be special, unique, classy and traditional,” Ricci said.

The committee also worked closely with businesses and store owners in Lexington to promote the theme. Store owners were encouraged to set up black and white window displays throughout the week leading up to Fancy Dress and to wear black and white formal attire on Friday and Saturday.

The idea of community involvement sprang out of a Retail Development Meeting through the Chamber of Commerce, says Intimate U owner Tracey Lackey.

“Since it’s the 100th anniversary we just thought it’d be fun to be involved,” she said. Intimate U, which specializes in lingerie and sleepwear, is just one of many stores that have decked out their store fronts in their best black and white. Retailers will also display black and white balloons in front of their stores on Friday.

P.S. Pumpkinseeds is another retailer that is displaying black and white goods. The popular clothing boutique is selling black and white formal dresses.

“We’ve been getting girls coming in all week getting dresses,” said Laura Capito, who works in the store.

P.S. Pumpkinseeds is also giving away free masks that can be worn at the masquerade ball. Capito said the owners ordered more than 200 masks from Louisiana with their own money as a way to show appreciation to the W&L community.

“We get a lot of business from W&L,” she said. “They wanted to do something nice, give back.”

The Fancy Dress Committee decided this year to invite W&L alumni to the ball. F.H. “Tripp” Onnen 3rd, Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs, said his office is expecting about 175 alumni to attend. The alumni office sent out e-mails to all alumni east of the Mississippi River, totaling about 11,000.