Atascadero Firemen’s Ball is a frightful affair
For the second year in a row, the annual event will be a Halloween party
The Carlton Hotel decorated for the 2013 Firemen’s Ball.
After 41 years of having a sit-down, formal ball, the Atascadero Firefighters Association decided to change it up last year and make it less formal by having a Halloween party where costumes are encouraged. This year’s ball will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Carlton Hotel in downtown Atascadero.
“It’s basically our main fundraiser of the year for the Atascadero Firemen’s Association,” association Vice President Brandon Roberts said, adding that they are hoping to raise $5,000 at this year’s event.
The money that the association raises goes back into the community in the form of donations to Loaves & Fishes and other organizations, as well as scholarships and donations to the burn foundation that helps burn victims.
“We are a nonprofit organization,” Roberts said. “We give back to our community in a number of ways.”
After changing up the format of the annual Firemen’s Ball that had been held in early November, Roberts said that it was decided to keep the less formal Halloween party.
“Last year was our first year doing a Halloween party,” Robert said. “We decided we’re going to keep it that way.”
The tickets for this year’s event are $40 a person, which is significantly lower than the formal affairs.
“We came down in the price because it’s not so formal,” Roberts said, adding that the Halloween theme was chosen because there aren’t a lot of adult Halloween parties in the area.
Last year, all of the presale tickets sold out, Roberts said, so there were at least 175 people in attendance. For this year, only 175 tickets will be presold, though there can be up to 200 people at the event. Instead of the sit-down dinner, appetizers would be served all night long, including a slider bar at the end of the night. In the past, the event has included a silent auction, this year, however, there will be a raffle drawing with the big prize being a cruise voucher. Raffle tickets are $20 each.
Tickets may be purchased from any Atascadero firefighter, by emailing broberts@atascadero.org or calling (805) 470-3300. The Halloween party is open to the public 21 and older.
