Welch and Pritchett also took issues with where the event was going to be held this year. In the past, previous galas were held at the upscale Coliseum or Mahaffey Theater in the city. This year the organizers planned to hold the event at the Factory, a venue located in a warehouse arts district, which has outdoor space.
“For us to have the mayor’s ball in a warehouse and a parking lot is unfitting,” Pritchett said.
Junior League spokeswoman Lisa Brock defended the event and noted that previous balls had themes centered around them, with the most recent being in 2014 with a Wizard of Oz theme: “There’s No Place Like St. Petersburg.”
Brock said that Welch’s decision to skip the event was “disappointing” but that a board position focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion had been added to the Junior League. She claimed the venue was moved outdoors for COVID-19 precautions. The organization still hopes to host an event honoring the new mayor in the future.
Before being canceled, the event was to be held during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Welch called the issue a “teachable moment” in a statement.
