Princess Ball a big hit with attendance of 1,500

With a crowd of 1,500 people in attendance, Kalispell’s fourth annual Princess Ball filled the Red Lion Hotel ballroom.

And then some.

“Honestly it was a little crowded,” said Josh Faith, organizer of the event. “We are going to have to revamp for next year. Even so, we were well within fire code.”

Faith started the Princess Ball in honor of his daughter, Valicity Lee, who lost her battle with cancer after holding out for several harrowing years.

This year, proceeds from the ball went toward the Montana Hope Project. The Hope Project is run by the Montana Highway Patrol and gives wishes to children suffering from terminal illnesses.

This year’s ball raised $58,500, just shy of Faith’s goal of $60,000.

“Donations are still coming in, though,” he said. “We might get there. I’m doing everything we can to reach that goal.”

At the March 1 event, two local girls were granted wishes through the Montana Hope Project.

Opal Besaw, a young girl with cerebral palsy, wanted to go to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory where she can make a furry friend of her own. Jade Marr, a Polson girl battling neuroblastoma, is being sent to Disney World to meet the princesses of Disney.

Marr’s request was the same one Faith’s daughter Valicity made. Faith said the girls and families were ecstatic about the wishes being granted. He looks forward to next year’s Princess Ball already.

“It was an absolutely amazing success,” he said. “We loved the size. We might not want to make it much bigger.”

For information on donating to The Princess Ball or the Montana Hope Project, visit www.valicitysonceuponatime.org.