Despite facing major challenges next year, Hartford’s new mayor is looking forward to celebrating the city in an upcoming inaugural ball.
Mayor-elect Arunan Arulampalam knows he will be busy with issues once he is sworn into office, but officials will be taking a few hours to tout the capital city on Jan. 4.
“I think it’s good for Hartford to have things to celebrate, and this is going to be a celebration of the arts and culture and diversity of the city,” Arulampalam said in an interview. “We’re going to have local vendors. We’re going to have six local Hartford restaurants and local breweries involved. It will be a celebration of Hartford.”
The theme of the ball will be “Believe in Hartford,” capitalizing on Arulampalam’s mantra during the election campaign that the city needs to have optimism.
“Hartford has a lot to feel good about, and I want to highlight it for a night,” Arulampalam said.
The ball is expected to be the first in the past 12 years since then-Mayor Pedro Segarra hosted a sold out, black-tie inaugural in 2012. Arulampalam’s organizers are expecting 500 to 600 attendees. Tickets are still being sold at a discounted rate of $85 for Hartford residents.
The event will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, the same venue as Gov. Ned Lamont’s first ball after he was initially elected in 2018. Lamont’s ball attracted about 1,400 attendees from across the state.
Some of the biggest corporate names in Hartford and beyond became the top sponsors for Lamont’s balls in 2019 and 2023, including Aetna, Cigna, Travelers, Eversource, Webster Bank, LAZ Parking, and Avangrid, which is the parent company of United Illuminating. Those sponsors contributed at the $25,000 level for both balls, while the highest level for the Hartford celebration is $10,000.
Arulampalam and his supporters say the Hartford ball will be far smaller and less expensive than Lamont’s balls that cost close to $800,000. But they are recruiting the same types of sponsors that are being lined up in advance of Jan. 4.
“We’re still working through and calling various sponsors, but a lot of the major employers in the area and the folks who are committed to the city have stepped up,” Arulampalam said.
Jackie Mandyck, a former deputy commissioner under then-Gov. M. Jodi Rell who now serves on the working group for the ball, said the list of sponsors would not be available until closer to the event.
“We are talking to a lot of the major corporations and foundations and other people,” Mandyck said. “It’s nice to bring it back after 12 years.”
Helping charities
The net proceeds will be going to a new Mayor’s Foundation Arulampalam is creating to support local nonprofits and advocacy groups that will help funnel money to cash-strapped groups pushing for worthy causes.
In a similar way, Mike Peters had Mayor Mike’s Foundation for Kids and former Mayor Eddie Perez also set up a foundation, known as Rising Stars for Hartford. Proceeds from Segarra’s ball went to Hartford Humanities Fund Inc., a charity that he established. Perez hosted balls for all three of his terms, said Matthew J. Hennessy, Perez’s chief of staff.
Andrea Wise, special to The Courant
Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra held the last inaugural ball in Hartford 12 years ago. Here, he waves to the crowd during the processional at the ball at the Connecticut Convention Center.
A website, BelieveInHartford.com/inaugural2024 has details about the ball, including a schedule showing a VIP reception with the mayor-elect at 5:30 p.m., cocktails at 6 p.m. and a procession, remarks and dinner starting at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the ball are discounted at $85 for Hartford residents and $125 for nonresidents. The ball’s website has the details on sponsorship levels for businesses.
Platinum sponsorship, at $10,000, includes six VIP tickets, four general admission tickets, a reserved table for 10, and prominent recognition throughout event venue on signage and screens.
Gold sponsorship, at $5,000, includes four VIP tickets, two general admission tickets, reserved seating for six, and recognition throughout event venue on signage and screens.
Silver sponsorship, at $2,500, includes two VIP tickets, two general admission tickets, reserved seating for four, and recognition at the ball.
Bronze sponsorship, at $1,000, offers recognition at the ball.
Arulampalam said he is looking forward to the event.
“We’re going to have a fun time and celebrate this great city,” he said.
Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
