The Corvallis Environmental Center (CEC) is hosting its Earth Ball on Saturday, April 20 to raise money for its programs and engage the community in conservation. The party officially begins at noon that day with a procession of the species through downtown Corvallis.
Those in the parade bang drums, play music, and make merriment, wearing costumes representing earth, air, water, or fire. This revelry carries into the evening with a masquerade party—dance to the toe-tapping beats of the Sugar Beets and the Deep Woods Band! The Sugar Beets describe their style as acoustic dance music with soul. Between the fiddle, mandolin, bass and two sultry singers, they are sure to get you up on the floor dancing.
“We are so excited to play the masquerade ball!” said band member Megan Bassett. “It has been about a year since we came to Corvallis to play the Majestic Theatre and we are really ready to come back to celebrate the gorgeous planet that sustains us and help raise some money for the Corvallis Environmental Center.”
Drinks by Oregon Trail Brewery and 2 Towns Ciderhouse should keep the mask-making station interesting and encourage partygoers to hit the dance floor, and prizes will be awarded for best costume.
The costumed parade of species gave rise to the idea for the evening party, according to Sara Kellogg of the CEC: “The costume ball element stems from our event’s history of being connected to the City Parks & Rec Procession of the Species, a family-friendly costume parade which commences again this year at noon at the downtown fountain.”
The CEC’s mission is to educate, engage, and inspire people to create a healthy, sustainable community. The fundraiser supports programs like the Edible Corvallis Initiative and youth engagement with nature at the Avery House.
“The CEC has been planning Earth Day parties like Earth Faire and Earth Ball since the ’90s, but 2012 and 2013 are the first times we’ve planned it as a true fundraiser,” Kellogg said. “We realized the opportunity existed to create a larger event that could run as a fundraiser and still give back to the community and celebrate Earth Day.”
Tickets for adults are $7 in advance or $9 at the door; kids age seven and under get in free. There are opportunities to volunteer in exchange for free admission. Purchase Earth Ball tickets and find more information at www.CorvallisEnvironmentalCenter.org.
By Bridget Egan
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