One of the top Halloween traditions Savannahians can’t wait to attend is back! The Vampire Ball returns to Savannah on Oct. 28, 8 p.m.-midnight, for the third time after a brief hiatus due to COVID-19.
This year’s event is hosted by Ships Of The Sea Maritime Museum, presented by Connect Savannah, and produced by Markster Con Productions, owned by Mark Baggett.
A nationally-known event producer, Baggett was introduced to Savannah many years ago by a friend, who suggested he host events here and he couldn’t think of a better event for our friendly, haunted city than a Vampire Ball.
“Savannah being Savannah—as kooky, creepy, and wonderful as it is—seemed like it would be a good fit because it is one of, if not one of, the most haunted cities in the country. Savannah again, it’s magical. People travel there because they want to experience something they haven’t experienced before. So all the gothic elements of Savannah, all the history of it both good and bad. It just ended up being a really good choice,” said Baggett. “ I do a lot of different themes with my production company, but the Vampire Ball in Savannah has brought out a lot of fans that were probably waiting for something like that. It’s a great city.”
The event will feature special vampire-themed drink specials, roaming photographers, the crowning of a vampire king and queen, and a charity canned food drive.
“The venue that it’s going to be hosted at [Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum], has its own little fantasy area, it’s all bricked off from the rest of Savannah. It has beautiful gardens and very new-age architecture, very simplified. I mean, it’s a gorgeous property. It also definitely has the old Savannah, renaissance-gothic vampire feel. We’re excited that we’re in such a beautiful venue. So, it’s gonna be a little different,” said Baggett.
“We’re bringing in a well-known DJ for music for the main entertainment. [DJ Precisa] Vampires live a long time, if you’re lucky, you’re eternal. So they go through a lot of stages of music, things are constantly changing. So we’re going to do a play off of a walk-through time,” he said. “We’re going to have a lot of different music going that’s to be divided up. Starting with older music, and then it’s going to progress through the time periods as the night progresses. So if you’re a vampire, you might be able to dance through all the times. So that’s a little different, as opposed to just having an event where there is just current music.”
There are specialty drinks that will be made and served by the Ships of the Sea staff throughout the event. Bar staff created all-original drink specials including Nosferatu’s Kiss, Ghost with the Most, Virgin Blood, Immortality, Fright Night, and Candied Crucifix. All unique drinks that promise to coincide with the night’s look and feel.
Baggett believes the event will bring in around 500-600 people. The previous Vampire Balls had around 350, so this one could be almost double the size. Baggett encourages those attending the event to dress up and have fun with their costumes.
“If people are not sure about dressing up, you know, we highly encourage it, getting a fake set of fangs or even getting some cosmetic contacts can make a big difference. If you don’t know what to wear, just wear all black—maybe wear all black with a hint of red with a tie, or some jewelry.”
And since vampires are immortal, attendes could do a play on another time-period. For instance, “dressing up as a vampire from the old West,” said Baggett.
“It’s great, it’s a fun event, every year we have all different types of people that come out. We have older people, younger people and since the age is now 18 and up, we expect some SCAD students,” said Baggett. “All the events that Markster Con Production does are cosplay costume related. People that usually come to my events tend to be more open-minded, a little bit more creative, they enjoy being around other creative people and after COVID-19, A lot of people are ready to get out and have a good time.”
Baggett plans to keep the decorations for the event very simple with lots of red and lots of candles, playing off of the features of the venue in itself.
He plans to have a darker environment and to make use of the gardens at the venue.
“The venue is gorgeous. We’re looking forward to it,” said Baggett. “I would like to add that you know this venue, it’s both an inside and covered venue type of situation. The main areas are covered in case of any bad weather, but we would highly suggest people watch the weather just in case.”
We can’t help but hope for at least some dark skies for an added touch!
For more information, visit savannahvampires.com and click HERE for tickets.
