[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E317-E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF THE SAN CARLOS CHICKEN'S BALL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 13, 2020

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 80th 
anniversary of a San Carlos school fundraiser known as the Chicken's 
Ball. The name is taken from a tradition of San Francisco's Barbary 
Coast when local music halls would hold an annual charity fundraiser. 
Chorus performers wore costumes with a lot of feathers, hence the name 
Chicken's Ball.
  The first ball in San Carlos was held in 1940 and it was organized by 
Howard J. Demeke, a teacher at Central School. The money benefited the 
PTA milk fund. Its stated purpose was to build the ``unification of a 
lasting community fellowship.'' Every two years since, shows have been 
produced, including this one in March of 2020.
  Approximately 250 volunteers and business sponsors produce the ball 
every two years. It is an ``all-consuming effort,'' to quote a local 
historian, Linda Garvey, and may be the longest running PTA fundraiser 
in the country. The show features three melodramas and three variety 
skits based on people and events of the Barbary Coast era of 1890 to 
1918. Since the 1940's, more than 60 PTA and civic groups have 
contributed original skit ideas. Music is provided by the Poultry 
(Paltry) Philharmonic.
  Humor and the unexpected are a big part of the charm of the Chicken's 
Ball. While skit writers often produce shows with great laughs, some of 
the best moments come when the lines are forgotten and actors ad lib to 
get over an awkward moment.
  Watching community members in novel parts is also fun. Children in 
the audience love seeing siblings and friends on stage, particularly if 
the part calls for a child to boss around an adult. A lot of the fun 
comes from the imaginative sets, all locally produced by skilled 
residents.
  Performers range in age from 14-94. Singers, dancers, choreographers, 
designers, writers and stage crew are all volunteers and accepted 
regardless of talent. The theme of the 2020 Chicken's Ball is ``The 
Night They Invented Champagne.'' The year's show opens on March 13th 
and runs through March 22nd.
  This is a chance for San Carlos, a small town with a great deal of 
talent and charm, to come together for several months of skit 
development, costume design, set construction,

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rehearsals, and finally theatrical production. I want to extend my 
congratulations to all who make this event possible. San Carlos is a 
special place where humor, a love of education, and copious amounts of 
talent combine to produce a beloved community tradition. Every two 
years San Carlos lights up the stage to support its schools. Learning 
to celebrate as a community of Americans is also a profound act of 
education. I wish this year's Chicken's Ball a spectacular season.

                          ____________________