Yesterday was the 85th anniversary of the repeal of Alcohol Prohibition in the United States. As expected, there were many parties and other celebrations. Here’s how I celebrated that night.
The Volstead, a speakeasy-style bar in downtown Jacksonville, opened its doors to anyone looking for a good time. I met up with a group of friends there and enjoyed celebrating with them. Most of us dressed in formal or vintage clothes for extra fun. Our evening started off at 7:30 with a swing dance lesson by Bold City Swing. Afterward, we danced to recorded music until the band finished setting up. The Raisin Cake Orchestra is a jazz band that plays a variety of music and they provided the soundtrack for most of the event. It helps to know a few different styles of dance when listening to them; most of my friends do, so we had fun dancing the night away to whatever the band played. Also, two of my friends won the best dressed contest and each received a goody bag as their prize. Although the event was scheduled until midnight, most of us left several hours earlier, but not before taking a few group photos and saying goodbye.
Although I don’t drink alcohol, I had fun celebrating Repeal Day. Last year, I went down to a restaurant in St. Augustine called Prohibition Kitchen in and danced with friends to a band called Swing Theory, so there were many similarities between the two celebrations. This one felt smaller and simpler, but I enjoyed both. It’s always nice to dance and have fun with friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year’s Repeal Day celebration will look like.