Once upon a time, my ex-boyfriend, a new friend, and I were at a local bar talking about the things we missed out on by being queer and in the closet- teen romance, public affection, and Prom. We wanted to know what it felt like to dress up, show off, and be our true selves. We wanted to wear GOWNS! So we made it happen. 2019 was our first Ball Gown Bar Crawl with over 60+ BEAUTIFUL participants dolled up, sparkling like diamonds, and took over a neighborhood of bars. It was so much fun I brought it back in 2021 after the pandemic took so much light from us. To revive the dream of dressing up, going out, and taking over the town, we ventured to Lakeview, which had about 45+ beauties. It was such a hit that BGBC participants suggested we do a bi-annual event and bring back the Ball Gowns! Dress how you want, dresses, tuxes, crop tops, and hoop skirts; whatever way your "Ball" swings, we'd love to see you express yourself. Ruffle up those skirts, polish those sequins, and join us for a Ball you'll never forget.  

We never thought this event would grow into what it is. Many folks have come up and told me that the Ball Gown Bar Crawl has given them the ability and self-love to open up their expression, tap into parts of their queerness and identity, and feel liberated in a way we often don't get to access publically. We do this to offer you a gateway to radical self-expression and to let out some of that magic rooted within ourselves and the spirits of our LGBQTIA+ ancestors. We are not the first to host events like this, and we won't be the last. In the face of so much adversity and discrimination, join us in liberating our future one sassy outfit at a time. 

Autumn 2024 marks the 5-year anniversary of this wonderful, whacky event, which has been enjoyed so much that our Cincinnati friends took BGBC to their own stomping grounds for a beautiful expansion of this magical night.