By Brenna Wiegand
“Come as you are – or come as you aren’t,” Mayor Stu Rasmussen says of the upcoming charity ball. The event’s name has been changed from Mayor’s Ball to Silverton Community Charity Ball, but the function’s the same: get together for some great food and rockin’ music while raising funds to benefit local organizations and projects.
The adults-only event is Oct. 24 at The Oregon Garden Pavilion. Doors open 6:30 p.m.; dinner is at 7 p.m. and music and dancing at 8 p.m.Tickets are $30 and are available at Rolling Hills Bakery, Silverton Green Store, Silverton City Hall, Palace Theatre and Zebra Print.
Tommy Hogan & The Killer Bees, who made quite an impression playing during September’s Silverton First Friday, will play. “They just blew the place away,” Rasmussen said of the band. “They have a great beat and are going to have a great reputation once they get better known.”
Billy & the Rockets is a Northwest band celebrating the American pop sounds of the ’50s and ’60s, as well as rockabilly, rhythm and blues. “You get a sort of musical history presentation along with their very danceable music,” he said.
Dinner is a joint effort by local eateries and caterers, Rasmussen said. The Oregon Garden will provide no-host bars. Visitors can browse a marketplace of goods from regional artisans and other vendors; enter a drawing for a limited-edition blanket celebrating Oregon’s 150th birthday, presented by Silverton Historical Society; and participate in silent and oral auctions.
Rasmussen said costumes are optional – but encouraged, with a cash prize awarded for best costume. “I’ve been excited about this for awhile now,” he said. “But reality is sinking in and it’s nose-to-the-grindstone time.”
