Fake blood or red wine? Both should be acceptable excuses for costumed guests of at least one party later this month.
HOPE Center is a local nonprofit offering support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Rice County. The Faribault nonprofit is hosting its first-ever, adults-only Halloween Costume Party, which will serve as a fundraiser to support its ongoing operations.
In addition to live music, local businesses have pitched in to provide items and discounts for a silent auction that’ll be set up at the party. The Depot Bar & Grill is donating its time and services to cater the event and provide two bottles of wine at every table, and there’ll be more drinks available to purchase.
Guests should dress to impress in their spookiest or funniest Halloween costumes, as there will be a costume contest for attendees. HOPE Center Board Fundraising Committee Chair Kathryn Burbank said there aren’t any events like this one in the area.
“As a fairly recent resident of Rice County, I was surprised there aren’t any costume events around Halloween,” she said in a press release. “Adults need a reason to get in the Halloween spirit, and this is the perfect excuse to don a costume and come celebrate a local nonprofit that’s dedicated to serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Rice County.”
The HOPE Center provides legal and personal support and advocacy, and provides collaboratives with other local organizations doing similar work. In extreme cases, the organization also provides emergency shelter to those fleeing domestic violence as well.
HOPE Center Executive Director Erica Staab-Absher said that, every year since the nonprofit was founded in 1995, the number of clients they serve has gone up.
“But funding does not,” she continued. “Fundraisers like the Halloween Costume Party mean we can keep the lights on, the phone lines open and that we can continue to provide competent, compassionate care to the over 1,200 friends and neighbors who need our services every year.”
She’ll be dressed as Merida, the main protagonist from the Disney movie “Brave,” but said many guests are keeping their plans under wraps.
“I’m just excited to see the creativity,” she said. “I know there’s a few people that are doing some couples costumes and then others are just doing individuals. A lot of people are keeping it under wraps, so it’s going to be fun to be able to see what everybody’s come up with.”
Staab-Absher said the board has been working hard to make it all perfect.
“We would love to have people come out and make this a great success,” she said. “It’s just been really easy because people have just stepped up, left and right, to take over and take on things. It’s been really a beautiful thing to watch.”
It’s going to be fun, she said, but it’ll also be for a good cause.
“People should come out because it’s going to be a great time,” she said. “We’re going to have a lot of fun. There’s going to be photo opportunities and a costume contest, great food, good people, and you get to support Hope Center.”
IF YOU GO
The Halloween Costume Party will be 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at Stone Creek Orchard, located at 3050 197th St. E on the outskirts of eastern Faribault. The party is strictly for adults only.
Tickets are $50 apiece, and proceeds go directly to the HOPE Center’s continued work throughout Rice County. Tickets are available for purchase from 9-4 p.m. weekdays at the HOPE Center, located at 1003 Seventh St. NW in Faribault.
Reach Reporter Colton Kemp at 507-333-3129. © Copyright 2023 APG Media of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved.
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