The Second Annual Winter Blues Ball will roll in this Saturday, Jan. 19, at Bear Trap Dunes Clubhouse in Ocean View at 6 p.m., with plenty of prizes, food and entertainment for guests.
“It’s going to be exquisite,” said Karen McGrath, executive director of the Chamber. “The band is incredible, and we’ll be transforming the entire place into a winter wonderland.”
Coastal Point FILE PHOTO
One Love performs at last year’s Winter Blues Ball. The band returns following last year’s success.If last year’s debut of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce’s Winter Blues Ball was any indication as to what this year’s promises to hold, attendees can be sure they will enjoy themselves.
The event was begun last year to assist with funding for the Chamber’s Capital Resource Fund and the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation, which will take 25 percent of the proceeds raised this year.
“We had completely renovated our building and expanded a few years ago,” said McGrath. “Fortunately, we had a lot of members who stepped up and donated money, materials and labor. However, we still had a building loan.”
With an interest rate on the loan higher than on the Chamber’s investment account, funding for the project virtually cashed out the capital resource fund.
“Like any business or family, it’s prudent to have a certain amount in savings for capital improvements, disasters or business downturns. We wanted to build up our fund so that we’re in position to do more things, ensure we are stable and active in our community for years to come,” she said.
The capital resource fund helps support further expansion for the Chamber and its ongoing projects.
“When we were looking for a way to fund the capital resources,” said McGrath, “we looked for something that wasn’t really being done here. There aren’t really a lot balls that you can find south of the [Indian River] Bridge. In the wintertime, there’s not much really going on around here, and this gives people the opportunity to get dressed up, get out of the house, see their friends, dance a little and have a good time.”
Saturday’s affair will again include live music from acclaimed Philadelphia-based band One Love.
“They put on a great show,” said McGrath. “People absolutely loved them last year, and I know they’ll impress us again.”
Live and silent auctions will be held once again this year, too, offering prizes that include an offshore fishing trip, a week’s stay at an oceanfront home in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and a luau brought right to the winner’s home, complete with a margarita bartender and catering by Bethany Blues restaurant for 25 people. Other auction items include golf lessons and rounds, a 4-foot lamp replica of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse courtesy of Sea-Lites, original framed artwork and much more.
“All the folks who donated anything, large or small, for the auction,” McGrath said, “are certainly supporting our capital resource campaign just as strongly as the people coming to the ball. It’s really nice. By the end of the day, you have hundreds of people who are involved in making this happen.”
With a sold-out crowd at last year’s inaugural event, McGrath is hoping for a similar turnout again this Saturday. Tickets are set at $125 per person for the formal affair and include a full dinner, hors d’ouvres, open bar, participation in the silent and live auctions, and plenty of opportunities to cut some rug.
As of Tuesday, tickets had not yet sold out, but were in very short supply. Those interested in attending were urged to check in with the Chamber by calling (302) 539-2100 up until noon on Friday, Jan. 18, as the remaining tickets were going fast.