Child Health Association of Sewickley celebrated its biennial Backwoods Ball and Play

Dressed in gowns and western-style attire, complete with boots and cowboy hats, guests did a little line dancing at the biennial Backwoods Ball on Nov. 22.

Held at the Edgeworth Club, proceeds from the ball and play go to the Child Health Association of Sewickley. Child Health’s mission is to nurture children by supporting programs and services that directly address their emotional, cultural, physical, educational and recreational needs.

The theme of this year’s ball was “boots and ballgowns.”

The event is held in conjunction with a play that took place on Nov. 21-22. The production, “For Better or for Hooch,” was written and directed by Sewickley’s Marguerite Park. It brought humor and heart to the stage as the Mud Hollow crew navigated wedding-day antics in Sewickley, ultimately ending up at Orr’s Jewelers on Beaver St. in Sewickley, according to organizers. Orr’s was the event’s presenting sponsor.

“The ball and play are longstanding traditions and they both happen because of the community involvement and all of the volunteers,” said Amber Gregg, president of Child Health. “The people in the play spend so much time rehearsing, and it’s a really good show. The people who work on the ball are so dedicated. It takes a lot to pull these events off, but when you see how much fun they both are and see how they help the mission of Child Health, you know why they do it. It’s so special.”

This year’s play, “For Better or for Hooch,” starred Katie and Matt Doubler, BJ Johns, Doug Donaldson, Michelle Denk and Sayward Lehman. The cast included residents from the Sewickley Valley, many whom have been part of the production for years.

Following the show on Nov. 22, 250 guests attended the play and the ball.

There was live music by No Bad JuJu, line dancing lessons, dinner and themed cocktails.

Co-chairing this year’s ball were Tamey Zahrobsky and Naomi Marshall.

The Child Health ball has been going on since 1924 and used to occur in May. The play began in the 1950s. Park has been writing and directing it for the past several years following her mother Pam Gregg, who had done the same, and is still involved with the production.

It has a different theme and includes something about Sewickley.

Founded in 1923, Child Health began with its “Milk Crusade,” when four Sewickley women worked to provide fresh milk to undernourished school children. From that first effort, nearly 1,500 women have carried the mission forward — funding everything from well-baby clinics and public health nurses to playgrounds, hospital equipment and innovative programs for children across Western Pennsylvania, Gregg said.

Events such as the play and ball and the upcoming New Year’s Eve fundraiser and house tour help Child Health continue its work, Gregg said.

On Dec. 31, the “Around the World,” New Year’s Eve event will be held at the Edgeworth Club. There will be themed drinks and bites from around the world, music, and a champagne toast. DeSalvo is co-chairing the “Around the World” soiree with Michele Rollman.

“We are hoping to get a big crowd on New Year’s Eve,” Gregg said. “What an elegant way to ring in 2026 while supporting a meaningful mission.”

The biennial house tour is set for May 2026.

Details: Childhealthassociation.org