251st Marine Corps Birthday Ball (South DFW Area)

Join the Ellis County Marine Corps League Detachment 1452 for an unforgettable evening of tradition and camaraderie as we honor the 251st birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

Guests will enjoy an evening featuring a cocktail hour, commemorative keepsakes, a traditional Marine Corps Birthday ceremony, buffet dinner, music, dancing, and the opportunity to support meaningful veteran and community programs throughout Ellis County. During checkout, guests may also select seating and provide meal allergy preferences.

For generations, Marines have gathered each November to celebrate the founding of the Corps, remember those who served before us, honor the sacrifices of Marines and their families, and continue our proud traditions. The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is one of the Corps’ most meaningful events — an evening built around ceremony, remembrance, fellowship, and celebration.

This South DFW Area Ball brings together Marines, veterans, families, friends, community leaders, and patriotic supporters for a night worthy of the legacy carried by those who have earned the title Marine.

Sponsorship and donation opportunities are available through the Sponsorships & Donations section of this event page.

Event Details

Who: Ellis County Marine Corps League Detachment 1452, Marines, veterans, families, and community guests
What: 251st Marine Corps Birthday Ball
When: Saturday, November 14, 2026 (See agenda below for specific times)
Where: Waxahachie Civic Center, 2000 Civic Center Lane, Waxahachie, TX 75165
Why: To honor 251 years of Marine Corps service, sacrifice, tradition, and brotherhood

Accommodations

For guests wishing to stay near the venue, there are two hotels within walking distance of the Waxahachie Civic Center, subject to availability:

Hampton Inn & Suites
Reservation Desk: 866-994-8422

Fairfield Inn & Suites
Reservation Desk: 866-994-8422

A Fundraiser with a Mission

The Marine Corps Birthday Ball helps support the mission and community efforts of the Ellis County Marine Corps League Detachment 1452. Proceeds and support from this event help advance programs and initiatives that serve veterans, families, students, and children throughout Ellis County.

Your support helps strengthen efforts such as:

Veterans and Their Families: Providing vital assistance in times of need through Project F.A.I.T.H. — Funding Assistance in Trying Hours.

Scholarship Program: Supporting the planned launch of a scholarship program designed to help students throughout Ellis County pursue educational opportunities.

Toys for Tots: Supporting the detachment’s role as the local host and facilitator of Toys for Tots operations in Ellis County, helping bring Christmas joy to children and families in need.

Veteran Initiatives: Supporting veteran-focused efforts such as funeral honors, holiday event support, community outreach, and other assistance needs.

Whether you attend the Ball, become a sponsor, or make a donation, your support helps make a lasting difference for veterans, families, and the broader Ellis County community.

Attire

Semi-formal attire.

What to Expect

The evening will include the traditional Marine Corps Birthday ceremony, dinner, fellowship, music, and dancing. Whether you are a Marine, the family member of a Marine, a veteran from another branch, or a community supporter, this event is an opportunity to stand with those who have carried the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and celebrate a legacy that continues to inspire our nation.

SPONSORSHIP & DONATION OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE FOUND HERE. (Click the text to follow the link)

Every day, the veterans who call Ellis County home carry the invisible weight of their service. They stood on the front lines to protect our families; now, it is our turn to stand by theirs.

Your business can spark hope and provide direct relief right here in our neighborhood through one of our structured sponsorship pathways.

Your support also helps make this evening possible and shows our community that the legacy of the Marine Corps still matters here in Ellis County and across the South DFW area.

Whether through sponsorship or a meaningful donation, you become part of honoring service, preserving tradition, and helping us deliver a memorable night worthy of those who have earned the title Marine.

If you have special dietary needs or food allergies, you will have the opportunity to provide that information when purchasing your tickets.

The Ellis County Marine Corps League Detachment 1452 reserves the right to adjust seating assignments based on final ticket sales, table arrangements, sponsorship requirements, accessibility needs, or other special considerations. Every effort will be made to keep attendees in the approximate seating area selected and seated with the guests they request. Couples will always be seated together.

Physical tickets will not be issued. Guest names will be listed at the door, and seating charts will be posted at the event.

Tickets are nonrefundable after 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Donations, Sponsorships (With or Without Tickets to the Event), and Partnerships support the mission of the Marine Corps League and may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor for guidance.

Tickets will not be available at the door. All tickets must be purchased in advance.