LEWISTON – No sooner had Frank DeMascola said, “I never win anything,” than emcee Chip Morrison called his name.

“New member Frank DeMascola, where are you?” bellowed Morrison, clad in tails for the annual Chamber of Commerce Not Your Normal Formal. “Frank, you won Best Formal Dress!”

DeMascola, dapper in a classic tuxedo set off by his well-trimmed silver beard, laughed. A consultant who splits his time between Maine and New Jersey, he’d only joined the Chamber on Monday.

“I came here tonight to learn who the key people are,” he said Friday. “This is an absolutely terrific forum to meet people who are the leaders in the community.”

Who knew there’d be prizes?

But prizes there were, and food, and drink, and music, and more than $30,000 in donated auction items in the Chamber’s annual gala at the Ramada Inn. This year’s theme, “Around the World with the Chamber,” brought about 360 people together for fun and fundraising.

“It’s a great evening, everyone lets their hair down,” Morrison said.

And occasionally their guard. Ray Ouellette, husband of Sweet Pea Design’s Laurie Ouellette, came dressed in lederhosen to complement his wife’s serving wench get-up. Perhaps it was his striped athletic socks and sneakers, but whatever the lure, Mary LaFontaine of CareerCenter gave his leg a playful rub.

“I’m a Polish/German gal myself,” she said with a laugh.

More laughter erupted when Morrison flipped tails four times in a row during the traditional Head ‘n Tails game. Many of Lewiston-Auburn’s most prominent business leaders sulked as they took their seats, defeated by the odds of a coin flip.

But in the final round, Rhonda Martel emerged the winner, astutely placing her hands on her rear while her rival went for the more dignified head tap. She high-fived people all the way back to her table, proud of her prowess and the $450 gift basket she won.

That got the giveaways rolling. By intermission, the crowd was well on its way to making the $30,000 goal Morrison hoped the event would generate for Chamber operations.

Two carts and four greens fees at Martindale brought $300. A weekend getaway at the Lodge at Camden Hills $350. A six-day African safari, $2,100.

Realtor Sharon Millett’s bid of $475 won a five-course dinner for six prepared by Morrison and his wife, Jane, at their home.

“Anything you want … if we can make it,” joked Chip.

The grand prize – $5,000 cash – was won in a drawing by business consultant Kurk Lalemond and his daughter, Madison.

Dressed in an Indian sari, she double pumped the air as she and her kimono-clad dad ran to claim their prize.

“He promised her he’d split it if they won,” said Morrison, hugging the happy couple. “I want her negotiating for me.”

Couples seem to develop their own codes at Not Your Normal Formals. Some decree the costumes; others the bids.

But for Tambrands’ Rick Malinowski and his wife, Michelle, they work as a team.

“I don’t leave her alone with the bidding card,” said Rick. “Last year I got a phone call and stepped out to answer it and when I came back in I was $500 poorer.”