It's time to get out of the house, Marietta, and mingle with your friends and neighbors to welcome spring. That is the idea behind the first ever Masquerade Ball, sponsored by The Anchor and The Lafayette Hotel.
"The idea behind this event is to have an amazing party to get people out of the house and it is also an event that carries a little bit of mystery to it," said James Maddox, an organizer of the ball.
"This should bring together people from all walks of life," he said.
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ERIN O’NEILL The Marietta Times
Taylor Parmiter, an employee of S.W.A.G.G., 175 Front St., models one of a handful of masks that are available at the store. Parmiter said she will also be attending a Masquerade Ball this Saturday at the Lafayette.
The event is for adults, 18 and older, and there will be a cash bar through the evening for those who are at least 21, as well as an appetizer bar.
The evening will also include some chamber music and music to move to by the band Qiet.
"The objective is to get people up and dancing," Maddox said, adding that he will be the host for the evening and there will also be a fortune teller and costumed attendants charged with keeping the party flowing. Hand-designed masks by some area artists will be available for purchase at the event and area stores S.W.A.G.G. and Twisted Sisters have Mardi Gras-inspired masks for sale as well.
Taylor Parmiter, an employee of S.W.A.G.G., said she will be attending the Masquerade Ball and will also be photographing the event.
"We carry a lot of these throughout the year and there are a lot of people who come in from out of town who like them," Parmiter said of the abundance of Mardi Gras and Venetian-type masks available at the store.
Ve-netian masks are an ancient Italian tradition, typically worn during Carnevale, to hide one's identity and allow the wearer to move freely through the ball, interacting with all types of people.
"This is a first for this type of event, as far as I know," said Julie Hambreck with the hotel, who is selling the tickets for The Anchor.
"So far, it looks like it's going to be well-attended. We're very excited about it," she said.
The event will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight. Advance tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple.
Tickets are available at the front desk of the hotel and will be $35 and $60 at the door.
For information, contact 891-4933 or 373-5522.
If you go
What: Masquerade Ball.
Where: The Lafayette Hotel Grand Ballroom, 101 Front St., Marietta.
When: 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Tickets: $30 per person or $50 per couple if ordered in advance; $35 and $60 at the door. For information call (740) 891-4933.
