Submitted article, photos by Sue Johnson
STE GENEVIEVE — Dennis Stroughmatt and L’Esprit Creole with Doug Hawf and Greg Bigler entertained with traditional French songs in addition to reels, squares, waltzes and the Shottish.
Deborah Hyland called the sets, modifying directions to accommodate the crowd.
Frank and Annette Rolfe were honored as Le Chevalier and La Dame for 2024.
The Tradition of the King’s Ball
Ste. Genevieve revels in the historic French tradition of the King’s Ball. On the first Saturday of February, partiers don French colonial costumes and dance at the annual King’s Ball. Little kids, spirited teenagers, and adults of all ages crowd the floor to dance reels, squares, and other old-time dances.
Ste. Genevieve was settled by the French in the early 1700s, making it Missouri’s oldest European settlement. Those early Catholic settlers looked forward to the King’s Ball or Bal de Roi, the traditional close of the Christmas season. Celebrating the Epiphany or Twelfth Night, the town’s colonial residents, area farmers, trappers, Indians and slaves partied with music, dancing, and food. The highlight of the evening was the selection of the royal personage to represent the town at various activities for the next year.
In the past, the King’s Ball was celebrated in French communities on both sides of the Mississippi River. Today, The King’s Ball is still held in the afternoon at the Old Courthouse in St. Louis and in the evening in the early French settlement of Prairie Du Rocher, IL, on the Epiphany. This early French tradition which began over 250 years ago continues in Ste. Genevieve, now on the first Saturday in February so revelers on both sides of the river can attend each other’s events.
Originally, the King’s Ball was held in the home of Ste. Genevieve’s oldest female resident, according to ball organizer Mickey Koetting. Over the years this tradition died out. Over 50 years ago it was resurrected, but today partiers fill the local VFW Hall, the largest hall available to accommodate the crowd of over 200.
Costumes are encouraged, and most do wear some type of traditional or formal wear. French peasant attire can be put together easily with a white blouse and peasant skirt for women and girls. Men and boys might wear white shirts, calf-length pants (rolled-up sweat pants work fine) and long white (soccer) socks.
Bill Naeger, a local character and freelance photographer, is usually the event’s master of ceremonies. In the past his wife, Patti, with whom he’s published a photo book about the town, “Ste. Genevieve, A Leisurely Stroll Through History,” led Les Petit Chanteurs, a group of children who sing French carols and folk songs as an opening act at the ball.
Then at 7:00, the dancing begins! For over 20 years, Cousin Curtis and the Cash Rebates have been entertaining the attendees; however, they are no longer available. Fabulous fiddler Dennis Stroughmatt and L’Esprit Creole will delight the audience this year! Dennis Stroughmatt’s fellow musicians are Doug Hawf and Greg Bigler. The band plays traditional Illinois Creole music. Deborah Hyland is the professional caller this year. Her instructions will walk couples through each dance’s steps.
Have you ever wanted to learn the Virginia Reel, the Paddle Dance, or the Shottish? Here’s your opportunity. People of all ages “do-se-do” on the dance floor. Some dances require a partner, others don’t. This is the one place where you’ll see teenagers dancing with senior citizens, and both having a grand time. One teenage girl was heard asking her friends, “Why don’t we dance like this anymore? It’s so much fun.”
During the first intermission the selection of the new King takes place. As in other European Epiphany celebrations, a Galette des Rois is baked, with a bean hidden in it. This important aspect of the King’s Ball is the traditional method of selecting the King for the year. The “King Cake,” a spiced cake in which now a plastic baby Jesus is hidden, is distributed to the adult gentlemen present. Another cake is consumed by teenage guys. A junior attendant is thus selected, and the adult who finds the baby in their cake becomes the King for the new year. He chooses a Queen, and they then reigned over the next year’s festivities such as the French Heritage Festival and the Holiday Christmas Festival.
The newly crowned king and queen escorted by costumed milice then promenade across the dance floor while the audience applauds and bows before them. Following the royalty are special attendants selected to assist the Queen and King. The honorary titles of Le Chevalier and La Dame of Ste. Genevieve are being bestowed upon Paul and Mary Hassler this year. These titles are awarded to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the local community.
Since 1996 during Leap Years, the roles are reversed and the female guests sample the cake resulting in a Queen for the new year, who then chooses a King. In December of 2015, AAA Midwest Traveler recognized the Ste. Genevieve Queen’s Ball as an official Midwest Travel Treasure!
Proceeds from the King’s Ball benefit the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve. Come swing your partner in old fashion fun on the first Saturday in February and relive the French tradition of the King’s Ball.
For a “taste” of this traditional event go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btJH00lYbBU
Bibliography:
Douglas, Ellie. (2019, September 03). Personal interview.
Rausch Harding, Donna. (2023, January 13). Personal interview.
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Stegentv. (2015, February 10). King’s Ball, Ste. Genevieve, Mo 2/7/15. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btJH00lYbBU
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