317 Project: The Grand Hall in Chapel Hill neighborhood celebrates big community moments
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A neon sign framed with plump red roses welcomed guests to Kim’s Sweet 16.
Black fabric draped across metal beams created curtains over a runway at the Grand Hall in the Chapel Hill neighborhood. Tall centerpieces on tables featured the same roses and dangling crystal-like gems.
Emma Reyna’s daughter requested red and black decorations for the party, matching her red ball gown with delicate black lace details.
Her mom delivered.
“We’ve been waiting for this for a year,” Reyna said.
The Grand Hall, just west of North High School Road, was built in 1998 for volunteer fire service at the direction of Wayne Township Trustee Harold Gene Stofer.
Today it’s an event space, primarily for quinceañeras for young Hispanic women in the community and their families, said Mike Violand, the Grand Hall’s general manager.
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Business is booming, mostly through word-of-mouth. The hall is booked through 2023 and into 2024, Violand said.
“This is a very big tradition in their culture,” Violand said of the coming-of-age celebrations. “It’s blossomed into a large market.”
Quinceañeras are typically for 15-year-olds, but this party on a Saturday in early April is unique.
It’s a Sweet 16 and Reyna decorated the space for her daughter’s party.
She’s a vendor for the Grand Hall, operating Arik’s Event Decor, and has previously decorated the room with purple teddy bear balloons for baby showers and white curtains for weddings.
For this party, there is a DJ, photo booth and a dessert table. And a lit-up 16.
On the stage is an ornate white plush chair for Kim, a Warren Central High School student, to sit surrounded by her court of friends dressed in red and black.
A mariachi band serenades the group on a dance floor with flashing blue and pink lights.
She dances in the center of her group of friends as the mariachi performers sing.
“Bienvenidos a Sweet 16,” someone shouts.
Contact IndyStar's Carmel and Westfield reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter @CarloniBrittany.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: The Grand Hall at Westlake in Chapel Hill is home to celebrations
