Festivities toned down at Branstad's inaugural ball

DES MOINES - With pomp and pageantry a bit passe, Iowa Republicans fashioned frugality in a scaled-back gala ball that signaled the start of Gov. Terry Branstad's fifth term.

An estimated 2,500 guests and well-wishers toasted the governor and his wife, Chris, on their arrival to the ball last night at Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines.

“We're thrilled Terry Branstad came back,” said Sharon Nabulsi of Fort Madison. “Tonight is not extravagant. It's not the hoopla past governors have done. I did not buy a new dress.”

The inauguration-day festivities were pegged at $300,000, funding for which was raised privately. It was sharply lower than published cost estimates of celebrations for governors in other states.

“Governor Branstad is respective of our times,” said Nancy Stefani of Urbandale. “Tonight's ball is very simple, conservative. It matches what we believe is right for Iowa.”

A massive floral display and fountain divided the red carpet in the center of Hy-Vee Hall. Employees from a Des Moines firm created the 10-foot piece following Friday morning's inauguration speech.

The display represented a shift from what Harriet Labertew of Urbandale experienced on Branstad's first inauguration 28 years ago to the day. Labertew, then a member of the Society of Iowa Florists, remembered committing three straight days to arrange flowers around Veterans Auditorium for the festivities on Jan. 14, 1983.

“They're trying to be fiscally responsible,” said John Quinn, director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. “It is less extravagant. They're trying to match in actions what they're saying in words.”

Sam Zoske of Marshalltown pulled some money from an ATM outside Hy-Vee Hall and laughed about being 4 years old when Branstad took the oath of office the first time. Zoske, 32, is just becoming politically active. Attending the ball seemed a natural outgrowth of his interest.

“I'm at the point in my life where I need to pay attention, become involved,” said Zoske, who was 20 when Branstad left Terrace Hill. “I guess he was really the only governor I knew for years.”

The big night even attracted a Democrat or two. Well, at least one.

Tara VanBrederode of Ames learned at 10 a.m. Friday she'd be going to the Branstad gala. Her husband, Jeff Angelo, is a former Republican state senator from Creston.

“I borrowed a red dress, but I couldn't bring myself to wear it,” VanBrederode said with a laugh, noting red as the color of the GOP.

Instead, she found a blue dress and entered the hall with confidence, wearing her party's color.

"I've got to dress the part,” she said. “I might be the only Democrat here.”

Following his introduction to the crowd, Bran-stad took the microphone and thanked those present for their overwhelming support on this day.

“This is a special day in which we honor and recognize sacrifice and service,” Branstad said. He then asked all Iowans to remember members of the military currently serving overseas, the greatest in number since World War II.

With that, the governor and first lady enjoyed the first dance of the evening.

By Tim Gallagher, Sioux City Journal