Morgan Hall
The Ashland Beacon
This year will mark the 12th annual All Hallows Eve Bash hosted by The Continuing the Legacy Foundation (CTLF). The Beacon spoke with Alanea Deboard from the CTLF, "The Continuing the Legacy Foundation board of directors plays a huge role in making this event happen every year. From securing sponsorships, to passing out flyers to helping decorate and design for the event."
Deboard shared her favorite part of the All Hallows Eve Bash, “One of my favorite parts of the event, is always the costume contest. Last year, Members Choice Credit Union sponsored our contest and we were able to award $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third. People get very creative with their costumes and it’s always hard to pick winners because there are so many great costumes!”
Deboard also wanted to shout out to others that help put in this annual event, "Besides the board, other key community people, that play a huge role in our events are Rob Serey, Tim Rudmann, Justin Evans, and Kasey Salyers."
Once the event is over, where do the proceeds go? Deboard has the answers for us, "We try to use our event revenue to give back in ways that are needed at the time. We have always been aware of some of the struggles the seniors in our area have, so years ago, we created a senior services fund to assist the seniors in our community. We have two board members who currently sit on the Ashland Senior Center board and they see firsthand, the financial struggles they face, and the Continuing the Legacy Foundation wanted to help ease that burden a little, with a financial contribution from some of the proceeds of this year’s Halloween event."
Recently, the Ashland Senior Center has changed from being open five days a week to three days a week. Our local seniors must continue to have a place to go to socialize, eat and enjoy some entertainment when available.
Last year, there were about 150 in attendance and that was about the maximum that they could hold at last year's event location. It was a huge success and they expect anywhere from 200-250 people this year, at the new location of the old Catlettsburg Post Office and courthouse.
Deboard went on to share event plans, "We have a lot going on this year. Natasha Kinnan invited us to host the event at the old post office and courthouse in Catlettsburg. This historical building was constructed in Italy in 1908 and brought to Kentucky by boat in 1910. You can feel its history and past when you walk in the doors, as it comes with original jail cells and secret passageways/doorways. The huge unfinished basement has Halloween written all over it. We will have three floors to utilize for the event. The first floor will hold premiere sponsor seating, DJ, dancing, a photo booth, and a private sponsor food area. The table sponsors - $1,500 includes premium table seating for eight, a private food area for sponsors only, an open bar, DJ, a haunted attraction, and a table scavenger hunt. The Event sponsors - $2,500 includes all of the above, along with shuttle service to and from the Delta Hotel in Ashland and five rooms at the Delta Hotel as well. The second floor will hold an open seating and food area, bar, trick-or-treat rooms, and a live-streamed jail cell. The basement will be the location of “The Haunting”….. and well, people will have to attend to find out what is happening down there."
Individual tickets are $125 and include food, open bar, photo booth, DJ, and haunted attraction."
Be careful who you bring along to the party, they might have to resist the urge to throw you in the clinker. "We will have the building jailer, who can be paid to throw “friends” in jail. Only you’re not alone in this cell…" creepily added Deboard.
"When we were with OLBH we typically raised around $20,000 or more for the event. We didn’t have to pay for a venue, we had a lot of volunteers with employees and we offered payroll deduction for employees for their tickets. After the hospital closed and we became an independent foundation, we no longer have a free venue and have to pay workers so the expenses for the event are a lot higher now, but we realize this is an event the community looks forward to every year and any amount we raise will help us with our mission of giving back to the community, concluded Deboard.
Please be advised, this is an adults-only event. You must be 21 to attend on Saturday, October 29 from 7 p.m. to midnight. The event will be located at 2501 Broad Street in Catlettsburg. Individual tickets are $125 each.
