Published: October 27, 2009 09:28 am      

Halloween party | Masquerade ball to feature three area bands

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

Three area bands will join forces to scare up a little fun by throwing a Halloween party.

The third annual Great Pumpkin Masquerade Ball will be held Saturday at Ace’s, 316 Chestnut St. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.

The bands, Ribbon Grass, YUM and Shades of June, will share the stage and be dressed in costumes to get revelers in the spirit.

Doors will open at 8 p.m., said Terri Single, a vocalist for Ribbon Grass.

“As people walk through the door, we will have some people pull costumed participants aside and ask if they would be interested in being in the contest,” Single said.

Those wishing to participate in the costume contest must be at Ace’s before 9:30 to register.

“We had a great crowd at last year’s party with more than 700 people attending, and I would estimate that at least 75 percent were in costumes,” she said.

The audience will make the ultimate decision by their applause to decide the top three male and female entries.

Male and female first-prize winners will receive $100, while male and female second- and third-place finishers will receive $50 and $25, respectively.

Single anticipates another large crowd since the party falls on Halloween night.

The music begins at 9:30.

“Many of these costumes are ingenious,” Single said.

“It’s just fun trying to guess who people are and discover how imaginative people can be when putting a costume together.”

Ribbon Grass plays everything from country to hip-hop, while YUM is a high-energy dance band performing ’80s songs, modern rock, pop, country and rap.

“This will be Shades of June’s first appearance at the Halloween party and they play current rock,” Single said.

The Young Professionals of the Alleghenies has partnered with the bands to co-sponsor the event.

The organization will have a table set up for anyone interested in joining or requesting information.

Tickets are $10, and there will be no advance ticket sales or table reservations.

Entrance will be on a first-come, first-served basis, Single said.

“We kept the admission price the same because of the poor economy,” Single said.

“At least with the party, the better costumes will have a chance to win some money.”





In the spirit

What: Third annual Great Pumpkin Masquerade Ball.

Where: Ace’s, 316 Chestnut St. in the Cambria City section of Johns-town.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets: At the door.

Cost: $10.