Beyond Limits hosts a special event for special guests

WASHINGTON — Friday night, 92 volunteers worked together to create a dreamy fun-filled evening for 68 guests at the Knights of Columbus Hall for a fun-filled evening for individuals 14 years old and up with special needs.

Formerly, this annual event was hosted as a part of “A Night to Shine,” but for the second year in a row, Beyond Limits has taken the initiative to host a party apart from the large organization.

While event organizer Ann Williams, with Beyond Limits, says that the numbers are smaller than last year, the important part was for the community to come together and create a special event for special guests, and they did.

As guests checked in, they received name badges and headed into a beautifully decorated Ocean Dreams event.

According to Williams, Tammy Vittetoe put in a lot of work to bring to life a space filled with wonder that invoked the theme of Ocean Dreams.

Vittetoe and various volunteers decorated the tables with fishbowls, fish nets, beautiful blue lights, and other ocean themed décor on par with any other formal event.

Glowing jelly fish floated in lava lamps behind a table of a delicious dinner prepared by the Washington County Cattlemen of hot dogs and burgers.

Carol Horning expressed gratitude for all the hard work of the volunteers and businesses that made the meal and snacks possible for the evening.

“Fareway has been a big supporter,” she said. Horning also stated that the event received donations from Pizza Ranch.

One guest named Danielle said that the hotdogs were her favorite part of the event.

After a dinner with grilled goodies, cute ocean themed graham crackers, and adorable dolphin shaped banana fruit cups, guests, helpers, volunteers, and family members enjoyed a night of dancing, face painting, karaoke, and balloon animals.

One guest at the event kicked the evening off with some Elvis songs that drew many to the dance floor. Nick Gingerich provided DJ services throughout the evening.

Many guests commented that their favorite part of the evening was the opportunity to get moving on the dance floor.

“I love just being with my friends,” Sydney Andrew said as she also got her groove on dancing with her friend, C.J.

Bandana the Clown, also known as Gary Murphy, enjoyed making the guests smile as he created hummingbirds, dogs, and other balloon art with his assistant Larry Weidner.

Just across the room from the balloon creations, guests enjoyed singing karaoke with Deran and Denise DeLong.

“Beyond Limits-Ocean Dreams 2023 was a success, because of our guests, families, volunteers and our community,” Williams said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com