BRAINTREE, MA — The figurative red carpet will be rolled out on Friday evening at Braintree Town Hall for the town’s annual fancy formal event.
Fancy Formal is a chance for Braintree’s special needs community to both attend an event dedicated to them in a prom or formal dance setting, but also a chance to be celebrated while connecting with others in the community.
The event has been hosted annually since 2017, with only one year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Since, it’s grown in attendance and scope, and even inspired other communities to start their own event. Hingham’s Fancy Formal in 2023 will mark the first time the community has held its own event after members of the community there attended the Braintree event for the past few years, according to Program Director Kerrie Doherty.
The year off during the COVID pandemic drove home how important the event was to Doherty, stating that “there were a few tears” at the end of the 2021 event.
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“It was amazing to see everyone together again so happy and socializing even if masks had to be worn. It was mentioned multiple times how wonderful it was to finally be together and spend time with friends in a fun, social setting,” she said.
“Nobody wanted it to end and I think we all realized how important being physically together really is and how much we all valued the event.”
For Doherty, the joy experienced in the room is transitive.
“The Fancy Formal connects all that are involved in such a positive way,” she said.
“The level of happiness in the room is unparalleled. The smiles that you see are so genuine and heartwarming that you can’t help but smile too, for days.”
Braintree High School students have been involved in years past, as volunteers from the school’s Best Buddies program, baseball team and lacrosse teams have attended, as well as other community fixtures like Mayor Charles Kokoros and a number of community volunteers.
There are no expectations for the event, something Doherty said is important to the organization. It’s a no-pressure evening for all in attendance to come into with one goal: Have fun.
“This is an event that brings so much to so many. It is an event that is dedicated solely to our Special Needs community. It’s their night to celebrate in any way they’d like,” she said.
“Braintree is a very inclusive community and the true joy and excitement shown by all involved is certainly proof of that.”
The Fancy Formal will be held at Braintree Town Hall on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
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