With its Masquerade Gala following Halloween, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce wants prospective attendees to know that its event on Saturday, Nov. 18, is not a costume ball.

“It’s intended to be a more formal get-together,” said Dana Petrick, president of the chamber. “For the masks, think more along the lines of ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ It’s an opportunity to don classy attire in a jazzed-up setting, complete with drinks, dinner and dancing.”

At the same time, Petrick doesn’t wish to dissuade more casually dressed patrons from helping to support the chamber’s community development fund by attending a pleasant evening of festivities from 5-9 p.m. at The Old Alcohol Plant, at 310 Hadlock Bay Rd. in Port Hadlock-Irondale.

“It’s been ages since this community has had a proper black-tie affair, like the ones the Rotary and Centrum used to conduct,” Petrick said. “I know plenty of fellas who plan to rent a tuxedo for the night, along with gals who are picking out gowns and flowing dresses. But it’s not like we would turn anyone away at the door. You can come in slacks and a jacket. It’s just a chance to look good, and soak up a sophisticated atmosphere for a worthy cause.”

In addition to a champagne reception in the lobby, followed by appetizers and a gourmet banquet accompanied by live music, professional photographers will be on hand to capture everyone looking their best.

“The upscale buffet is set to include selections such as halibut and eggplant parmesan, with plenty of local farm-to-table cuisine,” Petrick said. “We’ll have a pianist and a big swing band, so folks can step out on the floor, and table sponsorships can nab you take-home red rose bouquets, while raffle tickets can score some gala giveaways.”

Sponsorships can be reserved by emailing admin@jeffcountychamber.org, while tickets may be purchased by calling 360-385-7869 or visiting jeffcountychamber.org online.

“We’re more than halfway toward our goal of selling at least 120 tickets, but more are available if they’re needed,” Petrick said. “We’ll also be conducting silent fundraisers during the event. But it’s November, which we know can be a challenging month for some businesses, so we’re not asking anyone to go crazy with their donations. Just give what you can.”

The chamber’s community development fund, the recipient of the evening’s largess, provides small business grants and other resources to businesses, with eight or fewer employees, in Jefferson County.

Those funds are provided by a portion of each chamber membership, as well as proceeds and donations from the chamber’s community events.

“Our previous grant recipients were two local farms — the Hopscotch Farm and Cannery, and SoulCedar Farm — who were able to use the funds for digital brand development, and the design and production of print materials for their businesses, such as product labels and farmers’ market signage,” said Victoria Kellogg, administrative coordinator for the chamber. “Our goal is to be able to hold another grant cycle in 2024, with multiple recipients, so we can continue our mission of supporting small business growth and expansion in Jefferson County.”