It's a chance to tell state politicians to be "Gone with the Wind." It's also a time to give thanks to the patriots who defended our Union.

Saturday's Civil War Preservation Ball in the Rotunda of the state Capitol Building is a period gala that raises money to preserve the historic monuments at Gettysburg battlefield. It's an anticipated annual social -- and social conscience -- event started by a South Hills lawmaker.

State Rep. Harry Readshaw, of Carrick, called the ball -- sorry, it's a sellout -- a unique fund-raiser that you "have to experience to appreciate."

Mr. Readshaw, a Democrat who has served in the Legislature representing some neigbhorhoods in the South Hills since 1995, came up with the idea several years ago and since has raised more than $180,000 to repair Gettysburg's more than 140 monuments, many of which are falling apart.

"I didn't start out a Civil War buff, but I sure am one now," he said.

He called the event "a fitting tribute to those who served during that time and an appropriate way to raise money to remember the heroes of that time."

Mr. Readshaw said the ball, which will attract about 200, almost all in fancy, 1860s-era attire, started out "a lot more humble.''

Concerned about the deterioration of some of Gettysburg's battlefield markers, he started the first fund-raiser in a Gettysburg firehall in 1997.

He said he felt compelled to do something after being moved by a newspaper article describing the monuments' plight.

The first ball in the Capitol rotunda -- "I couldn't think of a more lovely and appropriate place'' -- was in 2004.

The five-story state Capitol is located in downtown Harrisburg and is the seat of government, housing the General Assembly, state Supreme Court chambers and offices for the governor, lieutenant governor and others. It was dedicated in 1906 and is designed in the Beaux-Arts style, with strong Italian Renaissance overtones, including lots of marble, murals, gold leaf and stained glass.

The Capitol was architecturally inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and is often called the finest state capital building in the United States. At its dedication, then President Theodore Roosevelt gave the address, and more than 50,000 people attended.

The goal, Mr. Readshaw said, is $431,000 for the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project.

Saturday's ball begins at 7 p.m. and is hosted by the Victorian Dance Ensemble of Camp Hill, a nonprofit group of dancers, artisans and historians.

Mr. Readshaw called the group; "people who know what they are doing" and who live out their mission to educate the public about this important time in our history.

The ensemble, he said, will wear "proper replicas" of fancy dress that would have been worn by soldiers of both Union and Confederate armies. The women wear costumes such as might have been worn on the set of "Gone with the Wind."

Mr. Readshaw, however, said he will stick to a basic blue business suit that he sometimes wears to the office.

The 28th Pennsylvania Regimental Brass Band will entertain with music that would have been played on the dance floor -- and on the battlefield, back then.

"The grand march, with the colorful dresses and soldiers' uniforms with polished brass is quite spectacular" Mr. Readshaw said.

Kathi Schue, an aide in Mr. Readshaw's office and president of the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association, said the ball is as successful in raising money for the monument preservation project as it is in raising the public's awareness of that time.

A number of present and former state legislators, as well as Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll, will attend the event, which is totally funded by private and corporate donations.

Whitehall Councilman Phil Lahr, an artist who last year donated a patriotic painting and a number of prints to be auctioned at the event, said, "It really restores your pride in America."

Mr. Lahr and his wife, Barbara, will attend again this year, and she will do an encore of her show-stopping "God Bless America."

"It was really a special moment for me last year and I am looking forward to doing it again," Mrs. Lahr said.

Mrs. Lahr, now retired, obtained her music degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and taught music at Baldwin High School before her 30-year career as the director of a local church day-care program.

"The ball is just such a fantastic event, and I can't wait to see all those wonderful people again," Mrs. Lahr said.

She said she particularly enjoyed the role-playing demonstrated by the participants dressed in period attire.

For more on the Victorian Dance Ensemble, visit civilwardance.org or e-mail at civilwardancer@aol.com.

To participate in next year's ball or for more on continuing fund raising for the monuments, call Mr. Readshaw at 412-881-4208 or e-mail Ms. Schue at kschue@pahouse.net.