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BY BRITTNEE NAVE
STAR CORRESPONDENT

You are cordially invited to attend the Halloween Ball.
The Hampton Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department will be holding a Monster Mash Halloween Ball on Oct. 24.
According to Chris Isaacs, Fire Chief, the event was last minute. The station decided to hold the event after being approached by Jimmy Pierce, who is from the area and usually has Halloween events like this in the Tri-Cities but is not this year due to COVID-19.
“He has all this equipment he usually does all this with, and nowhere to do it, so he approached us,” explained Isaacs.
The event will serve as a benefit to the community and as a fundraiser for the station. Due to COVID-19, the station has had to cancel many of their usual fundraisers, so the hope is that this can help.
This spooky event is broken down into three parts to cater to a variety of kids and also help with social distancing.
From 6-7 pm, elementary school kids and their parents or guardians can come for the music, games, and even a hayride.
This transitions into middle schoolers with a dance from 7-8:30 p.m.
Lastly, from 8:30-10 pm high schoolers and up can dance the rest of the night away.
There will be concessions sold, and even a live DJ performing. A costume contest will be held for each age group.
Attendees are urged to wear a mask and social distance. There will be open-air, and activities outside, weather pending. All CDC guidelines will be followed. Firefighters will be on the scene to chaperone.
While the event is for fundraising, Isaacs explained it is even more so for the community.
“We want our community to come together,” he explained. “We treat our citizens as more than just citizens; they’re more than an address to use, they’re our extended family.”
In the essence of family and community, Isaacs said he also sees this as a way to give kids back some of the time they have lost with one another. He sees this as a safe way to enjoy the spirit of Halloween, safely, noting that Halloween is a time to wear masks anyway.
The price per person is $5 for anyone over the age of 12.
For more information on this spooky ball, contact the fire station through Facebook messenger, or call 423-725-3500.