Chamber of Commerce hosts masquerade ball

Purple martinis flow freely and Phantom enjoys fondue at the fundraising event in La Canada.LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Rhett Butler passed the rolls to Scarlet O’Hara.

The Phantom of the Opera shared a Cornish game hen with Christine.

The skull-faced woman enjoyed the roasted potatoes and proved that beauty is only skin deep.

The Joker and the jester dropped their fruit into the chocolate fondue.

And everyone was very careful with the purple martinis.

It was a night of guys, gals and ghouls as the La Canada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Black Tie Masquerade Ball Saturday at the Oakmont Country Club.

The ball will be the chamber’s primary fundraiser for the year, said Executive Director Pat Anderson.

“We don’t know yet if we’ll do it again, it depends on the turnout and how financially successful it is,” Anderson said.

She expected more than 100 people for the inaugural event, and at a hundred bucks a pop, plus the wine auction, the chamber should reap a five-figure fund for the evening.

In past years the chamber hosted a Men About Town Fashion Show, which was also a black-tie event.

“We wanted to try something different,” Anderson said. “Traditionally our fundraiser has been in October, but it doesn’t mean it has to be in the future.”

Joe Thompson, who was named La Canada’s Man of the Year by the Kiwanis Noon Club, came colorfully masked as the Joker with a black tuxedo.

“I’m going to have fun, and the martinis should match my outfit,” he joked.

Jeff and Sandi Mooring came as the Phantom and Christine. He had the traditional half-mask, and she had a burgundy velvet dress that would have made Scarlet O’Hara jealous.

“I wore this mask because some of my face could breathe under this,” Mooring said.

Chamber member Audri Ferguson interviewed and filmed the couples as they entered the ballroom foyer.