Formal Masquerade fundraiser aims to enchant in Leechburg

Fancy a formal fundraiser?

The inaugural Leechburg Masquerade Ball is scheduled for 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 29 at The Marconi Club at 135 River Ave. in Leechburg.

Proceeds from the ball benefit the Leechburg Area Community Association.

Organizer and LACA volunteer Kira Karpinski of Gilpin said she pitched the idea of a formal fundraising event for selfish reasons.

“We were discussing possible fundraiser ideas, and I’ve always been really enamored by masquerade balls. I think they’re beautiful and grand,” Karpinski said. “A lot of people feel that way and it gives you another opportunity to dress up.”

Tickets are on sale now for the 21-and-older event and are available at the Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St.

Formal attire and a traditional masquerade mask are encouraged but not required.

A cash bar, hot hors d’ouvres, DJ and dessert bar are planned.

Tickets cost $15 each or $25 per couple.

To date, more than 200 tickets have been sold, but the spacious ballroom at The Marconi Club can easily accommodate 300 guests, organizers said.

Tickets, if any are left, will be sold at the door. As of Saturday, about 100 unsold tickets remained.

There will be “Best Dressed” awards to participants decked out in their formal finest. There also will be a 50-50 raffle.

“This is an opportunity to be extra extravagant for the night,” Karpinski said.

Karpinski said she is designing her ballgown, complete with a custom corset.

The evening will provide much-needed funds for LACA, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the borough as a cultural, retail and service area.

Membership is free and open to all.

“All we want to do is break even,” said Doreen Smeal of fundraising efforts by LACA volunteers.

LACA hosts community events in the borough, such as the annual Halloween Parade, which costs about $2,000 to $3,000 to host, Smeal said.

“This will help us with next year’s Halloween Parade and all of our operating costs,” Smeal said.