Dancers whirl around the ballroom as the evening takes its members back to the Victorian era of the late 1800s. It seems as though all sense of stress and multitasking has been erased as dancers fill out each others’ cards, like a scene from Pride and Prejudice.
Modern onlookers who are not accustomed to these events may find it strange, but avid ballgoer Rylee Riggs assures us that this is something perfectly ordinary people love to do.
“I love the community,” senior Riggs said. “It’s a very tight knit community and everyone knows each other.”
Without technology, ballgoers are left to socialize.
Rylee has made several friends who frequent the same balls as she does, but she also enjoys bringing friends along. She and Mackenzie Hill, another senior at FHN, enjoy both talking to people and dancing. Hill recounts a specific, choreographed dance they learned while at the ball.
“Getting to [learn the dance] and have that moment was really special,” Hill recalled. “It was a really fun time getting to learn a whole new thing in a couple of minutes, and then actually getting to dance.”
Dancers sweep across the grounds. Doctor, lawyer or NASA scientist—the Riggs have met them all. But they can’t tell underneath the layers of suits and silk, making everyone an equal part of the story.
Individual outfits create a cohesive and classical blend that transforms the evening. Instead of the sweats and athletic styles of the modern day, women move in elaborate dresses with exaggerated hips and elegant wigs.
“You can tell everyone dedicated time to their outfits,” Riggs noted.
For Rylee and her mother, these are completely handmade, as though they really were from a pre-industrialized age. Some projects are quick, but most others take much longer than a day or two.
“Depending on the item or piece, it could be a day, it could be a couple days, or it could take three months,” Rylee’s mom Rochelle Riggs said. “If I’m not motivated, it could sit there in the pile for months.”
Their basement workshop overflows with pieces from every era: medieval tunics, colonial gowns, Regency dresses, Victorian corsets. Each outfit is used for a different ball or reenactment, and Rylee estimates she has at least 14 completed outfits, with more to come.
What started as costumes solely for Renaissance faires turned into many different styles as the family moved from California to Missouri in late 2018. Once in St. Charles, the Riggs sought new ways to connect with the same communities as they had before, and found some success in historical and heritage-based organizations.
Rylee anticipates her upcoming 12th Night-themed ball on Feb. 7 in St. Genevieve. She encourages others to try the ball experience sometime, even if the activity may seem unusual at first. For the Riggs family, it’s more than just a dance. These moments are meaningful celebrations of history, community and merriment.
“I really strongly believe that the more involved you are, the more that you understand the history and embrace it and remember it too,” Rochelle said.
