Doc McCluskey, standing, and Mark Kohut celebrate the arrival of 2025 together at The People's Ball in the War Memorial Building on New Year's Eve. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — On New Year’s Eve, community members and visitors alike gathered together in the War Memorial Building’s ballroom to ring in 2025 together.

Families with young children, college students and retirees alike all gathered together for the second year-in-a-row at The People’s Ball. Organized by “Party Czar” John Meeker, of Shepherdstown, the event featured an array of hors d’oeuvres, alcohol and nonalcoholic beverages. And, those who wanted to add a little extra extra sparkle to the party were encouraged to “BYOC,” or “bring your own champagne,” according to Meeker.

“Every New Year’s Eve I’ve ever been to has felt kind of split between my friends,” Meeker said. “It’s either been too expensive for a lot of them or too rough-and-tumble for a lot of them. I just wanted to make something for everybody, where everybody could fit and be comfortable and be together!”

Meeker, who works for Jefferson Distributing Company, said all of the alcoholic beverages at the ball were donated by his employer. The event space was donated for the party by the owner of the War Memorial Building, the Shepherdstown Community Club.

Two things that were new at this year’s even, were that all of the food and nonalcoholic beverages were provided by Shepherdstown Shares. The music at the ball was also not being performed by a live band, but played by semi-professional DJ Rachael Meads, who is Meeker’s wife. These changes allowed the event to take place again this year, free of charge, according to Meeker. Without them, it may have been difficult for Shepherdstown Shares to have approved the return of the popular event, which raised over $1,500 in donations in its inaugural year.

Town Council member Marty Amerikaner dances with his wife, Linda Spatig, at The People's Ball in the War Memorial Building on New Year's Eve. Tabitha Johnston

“We’ve had to make some adjustments this past year, because of the increased costs,” Meeker said of Shepherdstown Shares. “We haven’t been able to be as generous as we’d like to be at the food pantry. We felt it was appropriate to scale back our fun events, such as this one, in a similar way to how we have had to scale back some of the essentials for the people who need us.”

In the end, the cost-saving measures they took paid off, according to Meeker.

“What’s important is that we are gathering together as a community and having fun!” Meeker said. “While I would love to have a band, I can’t afford to pay what they deserve to be paid on a special night like New Year’s Eve.”

Two new attendees of The People’s Ball were Karen Armington and her daughter, Erin Armington. The New Jersey residents were visiting the area to learn about local history and nature and decided, while they were in the area, to celebrate the coming of the New Year at the only community New Year’s Eve celebration in Jefferson County.

“We love that it’s a community event, and that it was ‘The People’s Ball!'” Karen said.

Shepherd University students fill up their plates with hors d'oeuvres at The People's Ball in the War Memorial Building on New Year's Eve. Tabitha Johnston

Erin wholeheartedly agreed with her.

“We were drawn to the name and the concept of The People’s Ball. It sounded really fun and approachable,” Erin said. “It seemed nicer than going to a bar. We were trying to be sober, too, so it was great that there were so many sober options here!”

Dancers take to the ballroom floor to dance to Aretha Franklin's "Respect" in the War Memorial Building on New Year's Eve. Tabitha Johnston

Shepherdstown resident Janet Deal, left, gives an order to Shepherdstown Shares board member Jan Hafer at The People's Ball on New Year's Eve. Tabitha Johnston