The Viennese Winter Ball Executive Committee has announced that the Viennese Winter Ball will not continue. According to a Thursday morning news release, after thorough deliberation, the committee determined that it was no longer feasible to host the event.

“Sadly, the Wheeling tradition of the Viennese Winter Ball has come to an end after 44 years,” said Paula McClure, Executive Ball Committee Chair. “All of our costs have risen dramatically over the last several years, and it is no longer feasible to continue.”

The ball has long served as a fundraiser for the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. However, according to the committee, increases in costs have made it difficult to stage a first-class event while also providing the WSO with funding support.

Over the years, the ball has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for the WSO and has allowed more than 600 students to participate through the work of hundreds of volunteers. Each year, the cotillion included 20 high school seniors — 10 young men and 10 young women.

The Viennese Winter Ball was co-founded 44 years ago by Sheila Barrett and Joan Robbin after a trip to Vienna, Austria. After consideration, it was decided to make the Wheeling Symphony the recipient of the funds raised by the ball, Barrett and Robbin patterned the event after the grand balls they experienced in Vienna. Many of those traditions remained part of the ball throughout its four plus decade history.

“I thank all the volunteers that invested their time and energy to the Viennese Winter Ball over the past 44 years,” McClure said. “These volunteers have given our students, their families, our guests, and the community a lifetime of cherished memories.”