East Dundee to hold Masquerade Ball on Halloween
For the last week or two, Halloween festivities have been mainly for the kids in Dundee Township.
Last weekend, West Dundee hosted a party for hundreds of children, as did Spring Hill Mall.
On Saturday night of this week in East Dundee, the kids will move over and will share with adults. And when they do, adults will hog some events for their treat.
One party in particular will be the village's inaugural masquerade ball from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Depot, 319 N. River St. While children are trick-or-treating, adults can attend a party similar to Wine Down Wednesday or Thirsty Thursday, said Cathy Domagalski, East Dundee's promotion and marketing manager.
"We wanted to do something unique. We wanted to give people another reason to come to East Dundee," she said. "The ball will give adults a chance to come out and enjoy the night too."
Revelers who attend are encouraged to dress in costume and stroll through a tent that will hold a tarot card reader and a magician. Those who come without a costume will have an opportunity buy a simple mask for $1 and conceal their identities.
"We'll also be selling more ornate masks for people who want a flair for the artistic," she said.
Local restaurants and the Anvil Club will sell food and beverages to help lighten the spirits of guests.
"We'll also have a car whose owner replaced the chassis with a coffin. Someone who works with live snakes will also walk through the crowd," she said.
A $5 donation will be collected at the main gate. It's a small price to pay to have a good time with neighbors and friends before the cold winds of winter blow through the Fox Valley, Domagalski said.
For two years, East Dundee trustees have been working to re-create the village's image and redevelop the North River Street business district. Some buildings have been demolished, others have been renovated, streets have been repaved and businesses have opened.
Trustees have also staged weekly events, such as Wine Down Wednesday, Tail Wagging Tuesday and Thirsty Thursday, to attract notice to the changes.
The masquerade ball is a natural addition, she said.
"It falls on the night when Daylight Saving Time ends, and we turn our clocks back. People will have an extra hour to sleep the next day," Domagalski said.
When it ends, partygoers can join the informal pub crawl East and West Dundee taverns have organized.
For details on the ball, visit www.eastdundee.net/.