Since I started traveling to step, I’ve missed the Heritage Ball once. It’s always one of the staple weekends on my calendar—known for good customer service, reconnecting with people you haven’t seen in a while, and dancing from day into night.
When the flyer for Heritage Ball 2026 was released last year, it was clear this year would be different. The weekend pass was set at $165, and the host hotel, the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, came with a noticeably higher room rate than the last time. The price increase became a frequent topic of conversation. Through Facebook posts, comments, and phone calls, I learned months in advance that several longtime attendees had already decided they would not be coming. For many, the combined cost of the pass and the hotel was simply too high.
The $165 weekend pass was more than I wanted to spend as well. And even the cover at Ellery’s on Thursday was $15. Still, I wanted to support GDI, so I scaled back. Instead of the usual Thursday-through-Sunday run of events, I decided to attend two-day parties. Later, when the All-Star Challenge was announced—with Charnice Simmons and Ed Donaldson co-hosting—I had to add that event to my plans. In total, three activities for the weekend.
The Friday and Saturday day-parties delivered. The dance floor had space—plenty of elbow room—and the music kept people dancing for hours from start to finish. Some men danced in a single spot for hours while a steady line of ladies rotated through for dances. Special shout-out to Tori Jones, Craig from Atlanta, Brandon Adkins from Texas, and Branden Williams—where are you from, man??? Photos and videos from the weekend showed people dressed stepper sharp and clearly enjoying themselves. The African-themed night and the all-black-with-a-touch-of-pink dress code created a striking look in the pictures on Facebook.
The DJs carried the weekend well. One pleasant surprise was seeing DJ Calvin. I even had a chance to grab another photo with him. I saw a few friends during the weekend but missed many more. In passing conversations on Saturday afternoon, several people confirmed they were doing the same thing I was—attending only a few events. Some were already heading to the airport to return home because staying another night until Sunday wasn’t in the budget. Others were limiting themselves to two or three parties.
Customer service always matters, especially when someone has just paid to attend. At the All-Star Brunch, I paid twenty-five dollars cash at the door and waited for a wristband, which had been the process throughout the weekend for entry. The person at the desk collecting money at the door told me to go ahead because they weren’t issuing wristbands and to walk right in. When the doors opened, everyone with weekend pass wristbands were waved in. But when I approached the entrance, security stopped me and insisted on seeing a wristband. What followed was me being annoyed, repeating, “I just paid cash.” Then a back-and-forth between security and the cashier started, until Melanie Fields intervened before I was finally allowed in. It was a small moment, but it highlighted a communication gap that the team should tighten up in the future.
Overall, Heritage Ball 2026 was still a good time for the events I attended. The All-Star Challenge stood out as a strong addition, giving newer dancers exposure within the community. That part of the weekend was especially enjoyable.
Weekend events ultimately come down to what people can afford. If a full pass isn’t in the cards, you adjust and make the most of what you can attend. The crowds this year were noticeably smaller than in the past, but people still had a great time. In fact, the lighter attendance created a more comfortable dance environment—less congestion on the floor and more room to move. Whether intentional or not, the pricing ended up producing a different balance this year: fewer people, but still a solid weekend for those who were there.