RICHMOND — There was air conditioning. There were indoor restrooms. And, the ladies in heels did not have to walk on their toes when not on the dance floor.

Those were some of the comments, practically all of them positive, during the 39th annual Pattie A. Clay Auxiliary Ball on Saturday night in Eastern Kentucky University’s Keen Johnson Ball Room.

Except for the first ball, which took place inside a decorated industrial building, previous balls were conducted under a large tent at White Hall State Historic Site or at Richmond’s Lake Reba Park, where the ball was conducted the past six years.

“Having the PACA Ball in a ballroom just made sense,” said Joni Fields, outgoing co-chair of the ball, with incoming co-chair Scott Johnson.

It also was less expensive.

Having the ball outdoors under a large tent entails more than renting the tent. The cost of erecting it, running electrical cable and renting portable toilets has to be figured in. Also, the extra cost of the caterer, who must bring in ovens and coolers for the food, is greater.

No tables had to be rented, but the organizers did rent chairs so 10 could be placed around each of the 30 round tables.

The savings were needed, too. The recession cut back on sponsorships and ticket sales this year, but the auxiliary, which supports the Pattie  A. Clay Regional Medical Center, still hopes to donate as much money to the hospital this year as last, Fields said.

Even if the building with 300 guests, plus servers and entertainers, got warm at times, those who mentioned the heat still were quick to point out that the temperature outside was hotter, even if the thermometer did not reach the 94 degrees forecast for Saturday.

Blanca Ramirez said she missed the romantic ambiance of having the ball outdoors at White Hall Historic Site. However, her husband Alberto Sanz, said he felt more comfortable wearing a tuxedo in an environment less hot and humid. The 2004 ball, the last to take place at White Hall, was their first.

One thing missing from this year’s ball was hard liquor. The ban of alcohol on campus in years past kept the ball away. Restrictions have been relaxed in recent years to allow beer and wine, including Champagne, in a few campus locations. Those were the only alcoholic beverages served at the ball, but no one seemed to mind.

A black cloth with silver print was draped over each table. The table cloths and black chairs were in keeping with the ball theme, black diamonds. A diamond shaped ice sculpture in the building lobby also reflected the themes, as did the crystal prisms that that hung from small tree stems rising out of the arrangement of coral-colored roses at the center of each table. Pebbles of cut crystal also were scattered on the tables.

Several ladies wore coral-colored gowns and a few dressed in white and black to match the theme and color scheme.

At least two men wore all-white tuxedoes and two other donned white tuxedo jackets. The rest wore black.

Food was served downstairs in the building’s Walnut Hall, and most guests remained there to eat, returning to the ballroom for dancing.

Served by Aramark, the campus food service, the menu included a few new twists, which Fields said she wanted for the new venue.

The main course was beef loin, roast potatoes and asparagus. White chocolate flowed from a fountain in which guests could dip strawberries, large pineapple chucks or pretzels.

Strawberry or apple crepes with chocolate and whipped crème were made to order at one station, while bananas foster were cooked at another. Both stations were new to the ball this year.

A dessert station featuring chocolate mousse with chocolate flakes, plus an array of other sweets and pastries.

Guests began arriving at 9 p.m., and at 10 p.m., the 13 junior hostesses were escorted to a stage on the west end of the ballroom. Most came in on the arms of their fathers, but two were escorted by family friends. One hostess’ father is deceased and another hostess had a sister presented at the ball by her father.

After being presented, each hostess took the red rose she was carrying and gave it to her mother. Then, their escorts led them in a waltz, followed by a more free-form dance to the tune of “My Girl.”

Nine members of the Lexington ensemble “Big City Groove,” including five brass players, a guitarist, a bassist and two female vocalists, entertained.

Most of the selections came from the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Except for the band, almost all products and services for the ball came from local providers, Fields said.

A grand piano kept guests entertained in the lobby during both the ball and the silver tea in the afternoon.

Before the junior hostesses were presented, the guests paused for a moment of silence in memory of Patricia Scott Park, who chaired the first PACA Ball in 1971. She passed away June 3.

A photo and biographical sketch of Mrs. Park was on display in the lobby.

Serving as a junior hostess is more than just a social affair for local young women, according to Jill Williams, a medical center spokesperson.

In addition to receiving training in etiquette and putting on a style show, the hostesses also engage in hospital service projects, such as planting spring flowers around the building and preparing treats for hospital patients.

The intention, Williams said, is to prepare the hostesses for membership in the auxiliary or other community service organizations in the tradition of Pattie A. Clay, for whom the medical center is named.

A daughter-in-law of Cassius M. Clay, Pattie A. Clay joined other Richmond women in volunteering to care for wounded soldiers after the Civil War Battle of Richmond.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.