BIDDEFORD — Those wanting to dance the night away while also helping out local nonprofits should buy their tickets now for the Biddeford Ball.

The ball is the brainchild of New York transplant and fashion designer Roxi Suger and her husband and business partner Julian Schlaver. It’s slated for Aug. 23 in one of Biddeford’s former textile mills in the Pepperell Mill Campus.

“We think it’s going to be an amazing celebration of Biddeford and Maine, and what it has to offer,” said Suger on Thursday, during a press conference announcing the event outside of the Pepperell Mill Campus.

The event will kick off with a maker’s market and silent auction, she said. There will also be a fashion show featuring Suger’s Angelrox clothing line.

Twenty-five percent of the ticket sales and other proceeds from the ball will benefit local food banks; 75 percent will go toward the facade renovation of the Marble Block, which many remember as the former Reny’s department store, at 129 Main St. The Biddeford-based nonprofit arts organization Engine plans to transform that historic building into a center for the arts and design.

“The Biddeford Ball will be a beautiful chance to come together to celebrate our vibrant community while also giving back, which epitomizes the spirit of this area,” said Suger. “We are delighted to be here and excited to build upon the wonderful foundation built by Mayor (Alan) Casavant, Doug Sanford (Pepperell Mill Campus owner,) Tammy Ackerman (Engine executive director,) Delilah Poupore (Heart of Biddeford executive director,) and so many other wonderful people of Biddeford and Saco.”

“We all know that Biddeford is on the cusp of great things,” said Casavant. “We appreciate the fresh energy that Roxi is breathing into our community and think this event will be another great example of the cutting edge vitality and excitement happening in Biddeford.”

Ackerman said when she first came to Biddeford eight years ago, making improvements in the downtown and getting people there was difficult. But in recent years, with more businesses having moved in and reaching a “critical mass,” making things happen in Biddeford “is really starting to get fun.”

“It’s a cool and fun time to be part of Biddeford,” she said.

Ackerman added that she is very appreciative that the majority of the proceeds from the Biddeford Ball will benefit the Marble Block.

The idea for the ball arose as a fun way to raise money for local nonprofits, said Suger. Donating to charities is important to her and her husband, she said. Each month, Suger donates a portion of her sales to a local charity.

She and Schlaver are also members of the Union Church in Biddeford Pool, and the Union Church Missions has a number of local nonprofit partners for which it raises money.

Giving back to the local community is part of the philosophy of Union Church members, said the church’s pastor, Rev. Jan Hryniewicz. There are many people in need in Biddeford, she said, “and the need rises all the time.”

In addition to Suger, several other local and Maine businesses will be involved in the ball: Biscuits & Co of Biddeford will provide food; Maine Coast Roast of Biddeford will provide coffee; Banded Horn Brewing Co. of Biddeford will provide beer; Vic & Whit’s Sandwich Shop of Saco will offer wine; Old Soul, a band comprised of musicians from Biddeford and Kennebunk, will play live music; and flowers for the event will be sponsored by Bloomers, Snell Family Farm in Buxton and Calluna Fine Flowers of Ogunquit. Maine Magazine in Portland will be the exclusive magazine sponsor of the event. 

To purchase tickets and for more information about the Biddeford Ball on Aug. 23 at the Pepperell Mill Campus, 35 Main St., Biddeford, visit the website suger.me/ball. Tickets will also be available at several Biddeford locations including Suger at 25 Alfred St. and the Heart of Biddeford at 205 Main St. For more information, call 494-8456 or email [email protected].

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].