Masquerade ball to benefit Habitat for Humanity

Elvis lives ... at least this Saturday night.

He and Wonder Woman and a carpenter or two are expected to make appearances at a masquerade ball to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

The ball has been organized by Keller Williams Realty in New Bern and will be held at the Farmers Market on South Front Street. It begins at 6 p.m. Saturday.

"It's wonderful for us to partner with a comparable industry," said Jane Kistler Halweg, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity. "Our donations are down so badly this year because of the economy, so we believe this will give us a real boost."

Habitat for Humanity is a faith-based organization that helps qualified families build homes of their own. The homeowner must make mortgage payments - without interest - and must also contribute 200 hours of "sweat equity" toward building the house.

Gina Ray organized the masquerade on behalf of Keller Williams' New Bern office.

"We got the idea from the Asheville Keller Williams office, where they hold a Fashion Victims Ball," Ray said. "We thought this would be a fun activity that would draw a lot of people, and all the proceeds will go to Habitat.

"We feel that it is an important thing to help people get into a home of their own - to help them get their own piece of the American Dream," Ray said.

Along with plenty of costumes, the event will offer entertainment, heavy hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction of area goods and services.

"We'll also have ‘dareoke' - where people are dared to sing karaoke and either have to sing or pay to get out of it," Ray said.

Tickets for the masquerade ball are $25 or $40 per couple. They are available at the realty office at 2117 S. Glenburnie Road or by calling 637-2010. Tickets must be bought in advance; they will not be available at the door.

"We are committed to building houses, regardless of what the economy is doing," Kistler Halweg said. "We look forward to seeing a lot of people at the ball, and we think there will be a lot of people who will really get into it - probably some normally familiar faces that you won't be able to recognize."