GALA 2025: A Masquerade Ball
History
Masquerade balls first originated in the 15th century during what is known “Carnival Season.” Carnival is a Christian tradition that originated around the year 1200. This festive season occurred annually during February or early March - immediately before Lent.
Because Lent was a season of solemn and sacrificial religious observation, Carnival was a time when people indulged in the things that they were required to give up during the Lenten period. This meant that they drank liquor, ate meat, and consumed buttery desserts excessively.
By the 15th century, masquerade balls were a fixture of royal society in parts of Europe with a large Christian population. During the 16th century Renaissance in Italy, masquerade balls became an important fixture in high-society. But there was no place that they were more popular than the Italian city of Venice.
Although they originated much earlier, Venetian masquerade balls became an important tradition during the 16th and 17th centuries. Members of the aristocracy enjoyed decadent parties during Venetian Carnival, where they would dress in elaborate costume and hide their identity behind beautiful, glittering masks. Although these lavish events became obsolete after the fall of the Venetian Republic in the 18th Century, masquerade balls and elaborate masks are still an important symbol of Venetian history and GALA 2025.
Come join the fun and excitement of GALA 2025 as we prove that the Italian City of Venice had nothing over the Catholic Community of Cedar County.
