Belle of the Ball: Ron DeSantis celebrates the start of his second term by dancing with his wife Casey – who wore a gold-embellished ball gown – at the Inaugural Ball to a song he wrote, Sweet Florida
- Ron DeSantis twirled his wife Casey at his inaugural ball Tuesday night
- First Lady Casey DeSantis wore a gold tea-length ball gown
- They danced to the song Sweet Florida, written as an ode to DeSantis
- The event included an extravagant marching band, photo station and Koozie party favors
Ron DeSantis hosted 4,000 people for his inaugural ball in Tallahassee, Florida, where he danced with his wife Casey to the song “Sweet Florida” and guests enjoyed lengthy h’ordeuvres and a sophisticated marching band.
First Lady Casey DeSantis stunned guests in a gold-embellished ball gown reminiscent of Disney Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast – with one attendee calling it a “class act.”
Florida’s first couple, according to several attendees and later confirmed by DeSantis’ team, danced onstage to Sweet Florida, a song written by the band Van Zant as an ode to DeSantis, and Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon”.
The first verse of Sweet Florida says that DeSantis “stands up for what he believes in” and warns people not to “come here and try to change things.”
The DeSantis’ three children, Madison, Mason and Mamie, also danced on stage at the beginning of the ball. The couple’s daughter wore white puffy dresses and her son matched her father in a mini version of a tuxedo.
Gov. Ron DeSantis spun his wife and first lady Casey DeSantis, who wore a gold tea-length ball gown, during a dance onstage at his second inaugural ball on Tuesday
The first couple watched and smiled as their three children, Madison, Mason and Mamie, danced on stage at the inaugural ball
Aside from that first dance, most guests say they didn’t see much of the couple throughout the night.
Attendees had mixed reviews of the inaugural ball, which could indicate whether or not they managed to snag a VIP ticket. Guests who left said the event at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center was a split between VIP and general admission.
A man who left the ball around 8pm described the VIP area as “where the actual party took place”.
Bernice, 79, from Boca Raton, said the event was “too crowded” and a “fire hazard” – she also described it as “COVID heaven”.
The Franklin County, Florida tax collector told that “the enthusiasm of the crowd was the best I’ve seen at an inauguration” – and he’s been to several.
A brass band with four singers entertained the approximately 4,000 guests
Attendees were able to take home koozies as a souvenir of the Florida dedication
In addition to dancing in the large open arena, guests were also invited to take photos at a station that featured a hedge wall and the logo for DeSantis’ dedication week, which includes its overarching motto: “The Free State of Florida.”
The party favors provided to guests were white koozies with navy blue writing
Pink and purple uplighting was scattered throughout the arena, guests told , and some “finger food” sticks included dessert, fruit, chicken and waffles.
The Inaugural Ball concludes celebrations surrounding the start of Governor DeSantis’ second term in the Sunshine State amid rumors he could launch a presidential bid in 2024.