Emporia’s Street Cat Club is once again preparing for its signature event, the Black Cat Ball, an upscale Halloween-themed fundraiser that promises a night of fun and philanthropy.
Set for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at the Emporia Granada Theatre, the event will feature dinner, costume contests, tarot readings, a custom escape room, and more. All proceeds will go directly toward helping stray and community cats in Emporia and surrounding areas.
“This is our second year hosting the Black Cat Ball, and it’s really become our signature event,” said SCC founder and executive director Victoria Partridge.
“It’s a chance for people to come together, have an incredible night, and also support the important work we do for the stray cats in our community.”
This year, organizers hope to build on the success of last year’s inaugural fundraiser, aiming to raise $30,000 to support their various cat welfare programs, particularly their trap-neuter-return (TNR) initiative, which seeks to reduce the local population of stray cats through humane methods.
Attendees can look forward to a packed evening of activities designed to entertain while also raising funds for the nonprofit’s mission. The entertainment will kick off with music provided by Turner Premier Events, as well as a costume contest with categories like “Best Dressed Individual,” “Best Couple,” and “Most Creative.” Prizes will be awarded to the winners, with a judging panel composed of local community figures.
For those looking for more interactive fun, a custom pop-up escape room has been created by Grave Decisions Escapes. Set in the basement of the Granada, the escape room offers an exclusive experience, challenging groups to solve puzzles and “escape” within a set time frame. Tarot and oracle card readers will on-hand, offering mystical insights for those brave enough to get a glimpse into their future.
Other attractions include dinner and hors d’oeuvres by Gourmet To Go Catering, a cash bar with specialty cocktails and mocktails themed around Halloween, and a 50/50 raffle where participants can win cash prizes while supporting the cause.
In addition to the in-person event, the Street Cat Club has expanded its fundraising reach with an online auction.
“We understand that not everyone can attend in person, so we’ve added more opportunities for people to get involved and support the cause from home,” said Partridge.
The online auction will feature an array of items donated by local businesses and artisans, including gift baskets, artwork, services, and rare collectibles. Bidding will begin one week before the event and continue through the night of the Black Cat Ball. Participants don’t need to attend the event to bid, allowing a wider audience to contribute to the fundraiser.
The Street Cat Club is also holding a $100 cash sweepstakes that will be drawn at the event. Every ticket purchased, whether for the general event or VIP access, will automatically enter the guest into the drawing, with the winner announced at the end of the night.
The funds raised from the Black Cat Ball will go toward the Street Cat Club’s main initiative: its TNR program, which helps control the stray cat population by humanely trapping, neutering, and releasing cats back into their environments.
“We’ve seen firsthand how effective this program is in reducing the number of strays and improving the health of the overall cat population,” Partridge said. “Each surgery prevents countless future litters and reduces the burden on shelters.”
So far this year, the Street Cat Club has provided free spay/neuter surgeries for 474 cats through its TNR program. In addition to the surgeries, the organization has brought 132 cats into its foster program, providing them with shelter, food, and medical care until they find permanent homes.
Caring for these cats requires significant financial resources. Partridge said SCC has spent more than $28,000 on vet bills so far this year.
In 2023, the Street Cat Club was able to perform nearly 600 surgeries through its TNR program, funded entirely by donations and community support. In addition to TNR, the organization also provides emergency care for injured or sick stray cats. This includes fostering cats that require more intensive medical treatment, which is often the most expensive part of their operations.
“With some local rescues scaling back their services or closing entirely, the demand for what we do has increased dramatically,” Partridge explained. “And with that comes higher costs — everything from medical supplies to food and shelter for the cats in our care.”
Since the Street Cat Club is an all-volunteer organization, every dollar raised from the Black Cat Ball goes directly to supporting their programs.
“We don’t have overhead costs for a building or salaries,” Partridge noted. “Our volunteers are incredibly passionate and dedicate their time to ensure that every cent goes back to helping the cats.”
General admission tickets for the Black Cat Ball are priced at $50 per person. This includes access to all the evening’s activities: one drink ticket, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, entry into the costume contest, and access to the escape room and tarot readings.
For those looking for a more exclusive experience, VIP tickets are available for $75. VIP guests will enjoy early access to the event, along with premium seating for the night’s performances and activities. Additionally, VIP ticket holders will receive a commemorative Black Cat Ball gift bag and two drink tickets.
A limited number of VIP tables are available for $500, seating up to eight guests. These tables are perfect for groups of friends or local businesses looking to support the cause while enjoying a premium experience. Last year’s VIP tickets sold out quickly, so organizers encourage anyone interested to purchase their tickets early.
For those unable to attend the event or participate in the auction, there are still plenty of ways to support the Street Cat Club. Donations of any size are welcome and can be made directly through their website. The club also relies on volunteers to help with everything from fostering cats to setting up and staffing events like the Black Cat Ball.
“The support we’ve received from the Emporia community has been overwhelming, and it’s what makes events like this possible,” Partridge said. “We’re excited to see everyone come out for a fun night, but more than that, we’re grateful for the continued commitment to helping the stray cats that need us.”
For more information about the event, to purchase tickets, or to browse auction items, visit https://go.rallyup.com/blackcatball.