Around Town: Skirvin’s ball invites out

By Joan Gilmore

[ SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 - OKLAHOMA CITY ] - Invitations to the Centennial Gala for the Skirvin Hilton Hotel are in the mail but you might not want to wait until they arrive to send in your reservations. Seating is filling rapidly – and why not? This hotel (other than a couple of hard times) has been the center of Oklahoma City’s cultural, political and business gatherings ever since Bill Skirvin opened it 100 years ago.

The elegant hotel again is prospering and hosting all sorts of events from weddings to business luncheons to high school leadership campaigns.

The Centennial Gala, a black-tie affair on Oct. 21, will be truly special with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 8 p.m., followed by a brief program (of course there will be a speech or two about the greatness and importance of the Skirvin to the city). Entertainment will include crooner Wade Tower and dancing to the music of Dave and the Wavetones.

Complimentary valet parking will be available at the main lobby entrance on Park Avenue.

Important note: Not only is this a hotel celebration party, it also is a benefit for the Foundation for Public Schools and The Homeless Alliance. Can’t beat a combination like this.

Individual reservations are $200 and sponsor categories are available. Centennial Sponsors include Chesapeake Energy, Chickasaw Nation and Devon Energy Corp. Other sponsors include Crowe & Dunlevy, Fellers Snider, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Oklahoman Foundation, Phillips Murrah, St. Anthony Hospital, The Journal Record Publishing Co., Oklahoma Gazette and okcBIZ, SandRidge Energy Inc., BancFirst, Center for Economic Development Law, Continental Resources, Josephine W. Freede, Jeannette and Richard Sias, Bill and Ann Johnstone and Mary Deane Streich.

Checks should be payable to the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma and mailed to the Skirvin Centennial Gala, The Skirvin Hilton, 1 Park Ave., Oklahoma City, 73102.