The Biddeford Ball returns April 29 – the first since 2016. This year organizers hope the gala event will raise enough money to build a playground downtown. Tammy Wells/Journal Tribune file photo

BIDDEFORD – The first Biddeford Ball since 2016, called Biddeford Ball – White & Cream takes place April 29.

It is a formal ball and community fundraiser gala to enrich downtown Biddeford and is the brainchild of Roxie Suger and Julian Schlaver who debuted the first Biddeford Ball in 2014. That event raised $20,000 for local charitable causes.

Suger talked about the event at a recent Biddeford City Council meeting.

“I’m very excited,” said Suger. She said the white and cream dress code means attendees can be as dressy or casual as they like.

“It’s about having a good time,  come together and raise money to build a playground,” said Suger. “We now have five breweries and two distilleries, a James Beard chef in town – maybe two, a famous diner; we now have a luxury hotel, shops… all of it, but there is no playground in downtown Biddeford. I am very excited to raise money for that goal.”

She said sponsorships are coming in for the ball, and tickets are selling. “I’m really hoping we can raise enough to build a playground,” she said.

The Biddeford Ball will be held on the second floor of #13W in the Pepperell Mill Complex, 40 Main St. – one of the last undeveloped spaces in the mills, and will feature a fashion show, silent auction, cultural performances, live music and more.

She said people will meet, greet, eat, drink, enjoy live African drums, a full-scale runway show, a live salsa band, breakout bubble burlesque presentations, and more.

In past years funds raised have gone to entities like Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center, local food banks, to Engine and the Marble Block, to assist Biddeford Mills Museum, lights for the smokestack, Good Shepherd Food Bank and more.

This year, she said 100 percent of proceeds will go to the playground project.

Tickets start at $40 for general admission and go up to $100, $150, or $200, depending on the level of food, drink, and other perks, and are available at: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5545120

Mayor Alan Casavant encouraged councilors to attend.

“I’ve attended a few of these and they’re fun …and the money always goes to a worthwhile venture,” said Casavant, who thanked Suger and Schlaver for their initiative. “It’s nice to see how well invested and thoughtful you are about our community.”