Bachelor and Spinster Balls
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bachelor and Spinster Balls (B&S) events are hosted regularly in rural Australia, known locally as "B & S Balls" or simply "B&S's". They involve young (18 years and over) spinsters and bachelors (single people), and more and more than often involve couples dressing up in formal wear at a venue and consuming large volumes of alcohol such as beer and spirits, typically Bundaberg Rum or Jim Beam. Typically they start at night and run until morning, although from mid-afternoon as people start arriving the partying/drinking does begin. A common occurrence at B & S Balls are utes which throw flames from the exhausts as dusk falls and 'circle work'. Circle work is usually banned and includes drivers driving in tighter and tighter circles as they dare. Food dye is a regular sight at a B&S and is normally thrown on people (even when it is banned). After the event people usually sleep in their swag on the back of their ute. A B&S Virgin (a person who is attending for the first time) is marked with the word "Virgin". Usually the committee supplies something for dinner and breakfast the next day. Country music often features at these events. Some committees also run a 'recovery' where the ball goers move to a different location to continue drinking, having fun and sometimes participating in competitions.
Tickets can cost anything from $80 to $110 and usually include all you can drink, dinner and sometimes breakfast as well as little gifts such as ear tags, hats, stickers and sometimes condoms and lubricant.
Historically the event is centered around country people trying to find a partner, but in modern times the focus has shifted on to having a good time and meeting up with new and old friends, some of whom can live many hours away. To a lesser degree B&S's may be held by ute enthusiasts following minor Ute Musters. This has changed to such a degree that many do not wear formal gear preferring to dress in clothes from opportunity shops. Today most of the men (and some of the women) sport akubras, boots and R. M. Williams gear even if they are wearing formal attire. Some people also wish to go in fancy dress for example school girls, nurses, clowns or lawn bowlers. Many people travel from many miles to attend the balls and the profits made from them go to local charities and good causes such as the Royal Flying Doctor service, Red Cross and the Australian Cancer Council, as well as local charities to the specific area.
Today the future of B & S balls is in jeopardy as rising insurance costs take their toll and more country people move to cities. However thousands of people make the effort to drive for many hours to support something that they love and wish to continue for future generations. There are many websites dedicated to the future of balls.
