Ball Season is the time of year when Czechs indulge in festivities. The season starts shortly after the New Year and ends by the beginning of spring.
Balls are, without a doubt, an important part of the Czech culture.
People usually start the evening off with beer and as the night evolves, they progress to shots of all colors and sizes served in the cleverest ways.
Since food available is limited, guests are encouraged to bring their own finger food to eat and share with their friends throughout the night.
Each ball is partially funded by its own raffle. Tickets are sold for as low as $1 so guests often try their luck by purchasing multiple tickets.
The prizes vary widely.
A winner could walk home with all kinds of prizes, including toilet paper, a trash can, a case of beer, baked goods, a gift card for a stack of hay or a tree, a dead duck, or even an entire wild boar.
Everybody dances.
Formally at first but loosening up as the night goes on and until the early morning hours.
Men dress in well-ironed suits, polished shoes and beautiful ties—some of those items come off as the night progresses.
Women wear evening gowns and they have a slightly stronger grip on their apparel than some of the men.
