Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 17, 1994 TAG: 9401170104
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BONNIE WINSTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Despite frigid temperatures, more than 7,000 party-goers turned out in tuxedos, sweeping taffeta and peek-a-boo spangles to dance, mingle and celebrate Allen's victory at $100-a-person balls at the Richmond Marriott and adjoining Richmond Centre.
Corporate sponsors shelled out up to $25,000 each to pay for the events - and perhaps to curry the favor of a new governor who just hours earlier had reaffirmed his commitment to breaking the shackles of special interests.
The biggest donors entertained a select few party-goers in a sponsor's lounge isolated from the main ballroom. Nearby, at the Tredegar Ironworks on the banks of the James River, more than 300 teen-age Allen supporters attended a rock 'n' roll youth ball.
"This is fabulous!" said John Arundel, a self-styled Clinton Democrat who nevertheless supported Allen for governor. "It's even more elegant than the presidential inaugural ball."
Arundel, a graduate student in Washington, D.C., was California field director for Clinton's 1992 campaign. His father, owner of a small chain of newspapers in Northern Virginia, was appointed by former Gov. Douglas Wilder to the Virginia Racing Commission.
Arundel said he was drawn to Allen's "charisma and energy." But his date, Jennifer Thompson, 25, also of Northern Virginia, was a steadfast Republican; she brought him along after receiving a last-minute invitation.
For both, it was their first gubernatorial inaugural, and they snapped photos of each other in front of the Monticello facade that graced one end of the Richmond Centre. Using their own camera, they skirted the line of couples having official inaugural ball keepsake photos - priced at $12 to $80 - taken in front of the facade.
Business, by all accounts, was brisk.
And so it was, too, at a table just outside the ballroom where the inaugural committee was selling official inaugural souvenirs. Going fast were specially made George Allen inaugural cowboy boots. The black leather boots, made by Craddock-Terry of Lynchburg and selling for $150, featured the official inaugural seal on the front.
"They've been a huge success," said Jerri Grigsby. "We sold 95 pair in three days. Craddock-Terry only made 108. A lot of people are buying them for collector's items."
Also being snatched up were 14-karat gold charms sporting the official inaugural seal ($189), inaugural wristwatches ($30), an official inaugural scarf - requested by first lady Susan Allen - bearing an 1814 map of Virginia ($40) and leather bookmarks ($2).
At the other end of the mammoth ballroom was a reproduction of the south portico of the Capitol, where Allen took the oath of office shortly after noon Saturday.
Cheers swept through the crowd about 9:30 p.m. when a beaming Allen and his wife stepped on stage through a door in the Capitol facade.
"Well, fellow penguins, have you had a chance to thaw?" Allen asked the crowd. He called Saturday night's parties a "celebration for the commonwealth."
"We're having a peaceful transition of power, and that's something in itself to celebrate," he said.
Then he invited the audience to join him and his wife in a dance. He turned her and started an awkward shuffle as the band began "It Had to be You."
Susan Allen, wearing a royal blue off-the-shoulder gown, was sparkling.
"It's been a great night!" she said later, as she and Allen chatted with revelers in the Marriott's ballroom.
Asked if he traded the traditional black patent shoes for his trademark cowboy boots, Allen lifted a tuxedoed pant leg and yelled, "Does a polar bear stand on ice? You betcha!"
The clutch of people around him adored it. Through the hugs and backslaps, Allen paused scores of times to pose for photos. He was jubilant at the attention, which will turn to scrutiny tonight as Allen delivers his first State of the Commonwealth address to Virginia's General Assembly and a statewide television audience.
Is there any pressure?
"The only pressure I feel is from the people," Allen said. "Pressure and expectations from the people of Virginia to effect the changes we said we would.
"It's been a whirlwind - almost like the Mardi Gras. We have work to do, and we're going to do it."
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.