One hundred and fifty University of Otago alumni and their partners graced the ballroom in exquisite gowns and gloves and tails for the grand affair.
While the guests had since swapped textbooks and cold flats for businesses and titles like "Sir" and "Lady", the excitement of the event remained.
Larnach Castle marketing and public relations manager Deborah Price said castle owner Margaret Barker remarked the ball was one of the most memorable events the castle had hosted.
Two of the ball’s original organisers, Sir Eion Edgar and Alistair Edmond, offered copies of the original guest list, which showed about half of Saturday’s attendees had attended the first ball, Ms Price said.
The men were among a group of students who painted the ballroom, turning it from a place where sheep were kept to the grandest room in the castle.
About 400 students attended the ball in 1967.On Saturday guests were piped into the ballroom before formal introductions were made and a supper, including ’60s classics, like asparagus rolls, prawn cocktails and cinnamon oysters, was served, Ms Price said.
The only difference from the 1967 affair was that Saturday’s ended earlier, and the guests were "possibly" a bit better behaved, Ms Price said.
"I don’t think anyone went home with another person’s girlfriend."
The ball was part of a weekend of events for University of Otago alumni.
The former students also had a cocktail evening with vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne, campus tours and lunch at the Captain Cook tavern.
Staff at the castle were on a "high" following the ball, Ms Price said.
"It was a fantastic weekend for Dunedin.
"Everyone stayed in hotels or with friends and visited their old flats and the university.
"They all raved about the city".
