FTEF Presents Masquerade Ball In Newly Renovated Music Hall This October

Sarah Messmer, Auleta Schurr, Kara Schneider, Laura Hinegardner, Ansley Depp and Courtney Shannon. 

By Kara Uhl

On October 21, the Fort Thomas Education Foundation (FTEF) is hosting a party where guests can experience a truly memorable evening at Music Hall. Attendees will have the privilege of being one of the first people to see the renovations. The evening will include cocktails, appetizers, an open bar, a seated dinner, a band, dancing and incredible prizes. All the money raised during this event will benefit the FTEF Endowment Fund, created to help sustain the highest level of educational excellence for present and future generations.

This is the third gala-type event FTEF has held. Previous events were held in 2013 and 2015, and money raised went to the Campaign for Highlands. The 2013 Grand Gala was held at the Verdin Bell Center and raised $100,000. The 2015 Centennial Celebration celebrated the 100th birthday of the Highlands campus and raised more than $350,000. FTEF hopes to raise the bar even higher for October’s event.

This will be the third FTEF gala-type event. The goal is to surpass the $350,000 raised in 2015. At the last gala, here were the big raffle winners. 

This year’s theme is a Masquerade Ball. “We felt the Masquerade theme fits well into the history and drama of Music Hall,” says Amy Shaffer, ’91 Highlands grad and FTEF Board Chair. “And the date being so close to Halloween it felt like a natural fit.”

The ticket price, most of which can be counted as a tax deduction, is $500 per person. In many ways the evening serves as a thank you to these generous donations by giving attendees a night they won’t forget.

“The FTEF wants to make sure that we offer a variety of events for all members of our community to enjoy like the Annual Dance and Foundation Club,” Shaffer says. “The Masquerade Ball gives folks the opportunity to put on their fanciest outfits and enjoy a memorable evening with others who are passionate about securing a successful future for the FTEF, our schools and students.”

(Save the Date: March 3, 2018 is the 15th anniversary of the Annual Dance.)

Attendees of the Masquerade Ball will enjoy cocktails and appetizers at 6 p.m. Dress is black-tie optional with masks suggested. Decorations in the newly renovated ballroom will tie into the theme. A seated dinner will take place at 7 p.m. followed with entertainment by Bluewater Kings. The ticket price includes entry into the drawing for the always-much-anticipated door prizes, which in the past has included weeklong stays in dreamy locations such as Cabo San Lucas and San Destin, Fla., a wine tasting experience in Napa and Super Bowl tickets. All ticket holders are eligible to win and don’t need to be present.

Immediately prior to the event there will be a VIP reception. The reception is open to event sponsors and guests who purchase the VIP ticket package. The reception will be held on the balcony of the lobby giving these guests the unique opportunity to see the newly renovated lobby and performance hall and to enjoy unique entertainment experiences.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ftef.org or call (859) 815-2004.