Tickets For Woodbury Community Foundation’s Soiree Spooktakular Now On Sale

It used to be that the had people sit down for dinner during its biggest annual fundraiser.

“It totally killed the vibe,” said Alisa Rabin Bell, the foundation’s executive director.

The event is now hors d’oeuvres heavy, which gives people a chance to mingle, grab a drink at the bar and, of course, check out each other’s costumes.

Tickets are now on sale for the Woodbury Community Foundation’s 2011 Soiree Spooktakular, set for 6:13 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, at the Prom Center in Oakdale. Tickets for the fourth annual event cost $75 and can be purchased through the WCF website. Tickets are limited.

The event includes a live and silent auction, and organizers hope to raise $28,000. One of the auction items is a personalized song by , also offered last year. The winner last year had Griswold create a song for his daughter; it was played at her graduation party.

“It’s such a great evening out and people have so much fun,” Bell said. “And the costumes are amazing. They get better every year. People plan for the next year after that year’s event ends.”

The Spooktakular features a costume contest, dancing from the Tropical Ballroom, a cash bar and moving décor that creates a haunted house-type feel. (People don’t have to wear costumes to feel comfortable, Bell said.)

The funds raised at the event will benefit the Woodbury Community Foundation, which has —jobs, youth, housing and poverty—for its work in the community. There has already been momentum building on those fronts, Bell said, pointing to a jobs program for veterans and the .

The Spooktakular raises money “so we can keep doing the work that we’re doing in the community,” Bell said.

This year’s emcee is Woodbury resident Patrick Hammer from KSTP. The auctioneer is Glen Fladeboe. Co-chairs are Dr. John and Ann Tessar from Tessar Dental, the event’s primary sponsor.