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A man adjusts his tie and prepares himself shortly before the beginning of the Ariah Park B&S Ball.
Known to locals as simply B&S Balls, the events are held regularly in rural towns, run by the run by local volunteers, the Balls help raise funds for the community. Historically the B&S Balls were centred on country people trying to find a partner, but now the focus has shifted to partying, heavy drinking and meeting up with new and old friends, some of who live many hours away. Ariah Park, NSW, Australia. Saturday 26th October, 2019. Matthew Abbott for The New York Times