Inaugural ball alight with sequins, flowers, elegance and Democrats’ enthusiasm

AUGUSTA – OK, so it was too early to tell whether Gov. John E. Baldacci would follow in his predecessor’s footsteps and rock ‘n’ roll onstage with the band, but he and the state’s new first lady boogied to the songs of Paul Simon as guests surrounded them at Thursday’s inaugural gala.

It has been 16 years since Maine Democrats have taken center stage at the gala, and early in the evening a Democratic love fest was under way in grand style.

One committed Democrat seemed happy to be around, saying, “I feel like I’m home again. I mean it – 16 years is too long.”

Tuxedo-clad men and bejeweled and sequined women crowded into the Augusta Civic Center for a grand celebration of the state’s new administration.

Budget woes were left at the door along with thousands of coats. Teens from Seeds of Peace checked tickets and provided information to guests.

Extravagant ice sculptures carved in the shape of lobsters, moose, a lighthouse and the state of Maine greeted guests at the entrance to the civic center. The sculptures were created Thursday by members of the Maine Snow and Ice Sculpting Foundation.

Inside the main ballroom it was all about elegance, flowers and the right lighting.

Dozens upon dozens of ornate flower arrangements were individually lit and spread throughout the room. The arrangements were among the first decisions made in the planning of the event, which began just after the November election.

Steven Barton of Harmon’s and Barton’s Flowers in Portland and his crew worked from Monday to Thursday creating the exotic arrangements that blended huge white day lilies with Maine evergreens and ferns.

“It’s all about elegance, with a winter theme, hence the white,” said event coordinator Pat Eltman. “After all, it’s January.”

Gala-goers mingled over drinks from one of the 10 bars and drifted among snowflake-shaped spots of light that seemed to float across the polished floor.

While at former Gov. Angus King’s galas, tuxedos and ball gowns shared the floor with Bean boots and flannel, the guests at Baldacci’s ball took a more traditional and streamlined approach with a heavy majority of guests dressed in black.

While there may have been no Bean boots in the crowd, L.L. Bean did participate in the night, having constructed two islands that mimicked a Maine woods scene with imitation snow and ice-encrusted birch trees that flanked the dance floor.

Birch trees also decorated the three stages where four bands played throughout the night.

The band Trouble opened the festivities, followed by the Mark Miller Band, the Tony Boffa Band and the Boneheads.

John and Karen Baldacci took to the stage for a dance to “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” shortly after they arrived at the civic center. Baldacci wore a traditional tuxedo, while Karen wore a green velvet strapless dress covered by a full-length jacket. Her dress was designed by Sandi McKeen of Stockton Springs.

Gov. King’s press secretary Dennis Bailey played in the band at King’s two galas, and on Thursday it was House Speaker Pat Colwell’s brother playing with the Boneheads. Colwell himself appeared later in the evening with the Boneheads and played electric guitar to the delight of the crowd.

The theme of the night was all Maine, in food and decoration. In two separate wings of the civic center, guests munched on Maine-made pasta, Maine smoked mussels and salmon, and Maine-raised chickens and hams.

“Most everything is from Maine, except of course the fruits and vegetables. It’s pretty hard to get those in Maine at this time of year,” said the food organizer, Cheryl Wixson of Bangor.

She said the Baldaccis did not request anything particular for food but “John really likes cheese and they both like smoked seafood.”

While it was all his party, Baldacci did hold a serious press conference moments before he and his wife took to the stage. He said his administration was very concerned about Great Northern Paper Inc.’s announcement Thursday that it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. He said the announcement was not unexpected, and that he and his staff would be working to keep the GNP mills operating.

He also was preparing Thursday for a busy day today that begins early in Biddeford and ends late in Presque Isle. After the last mussel is consumed and the ice sculptures are melted, the budget woes linger and Baldacci’s job begins.