VISIONS OF SUGAR PLUMS

Burning excitement

Sugar Plum Ball shakes off fire scare, dances night away

CARTI's Sugar Plum Ball had a little more excitement than planned Nov. 15 when the Statehouse Convention Center had to be evacuated.

A burned dish in the kitchen set off a smoke alarm and the fire department arrived to investigate. The young girls, dressed in their finest dresses and wearing tiaras given to them by Mrs. Arkansas 2018 Julie Pasquinzo, weren't alarmed, however, as they milled on the sidewalk in front of the center with their fathers or escorts. They compared dresses, twirled, played games and posed for pictures in front of the firetrucks and with ballerinas from Shuffles & Ballet II.

Once given the all clear, they went back to the ballroom decorated with Christmas trees, sparkly lights and tables decorated with giant lollipops. They enjoyed a buffet dinner, dancing and a performance by the ballerinas and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The ball was the first event in the four-day Festival of Trees, which raises money for CARTI, a nonprofit cancer treatment center.

-- Story and photos by Cary Jenkins

High Profile on 12/03/2017

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