Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez)

Shannon McCabe’s Vampire Ball made a successful debut at Roseville’s Placer County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 27. The theme for this year’s event was “The Vampire Chronicles - A tribute to all things Anne Rice."

The evening event brought several hundred visitors to a venue full of live music, tribal dancers, carnival food and a beer garden for guests to enjoy.

Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez)

Having outgrown previous venues, the Placer County Fairgrounds hosted the Vampire Ball as well as Callson Manor Haunted House.

The Vampire Ball included an area that looked like a graveyard, a plantation, Queen Akasha’s throne room, a VIP cemetery and other scenes inspired by Anne Rice’s Vampire Ball Chronicles, from her books that have been made into movies. The scenes included actors interacting with visitors.

Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez)

Besides some on-stage dancing, a Queen Akasha character from time to time sat at her throne. The “Queen of the Damned” character gave a great interpretation of the Kemet queen.

Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez)

Other actors on hand included characters from Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire” and “Vampire Lestat.”

Several vendors sold merchandise in the outdoor area. Because this was an event for the over-21 crowd, some of the vendors showcased merchandise geared to this specific age group. Gothic merchandise, a hookah tent, cigars and other items were also available for visitors.

Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez)

Some of the vendors and sponsors included Freebird Designs by Berta, Box Boy Boxes, Hook It Up Hookah Lounge, Art of Cigars, Passion Parties, Ms. Macabre’s Alchemy, Pumpkin Geek, Wildfire Promoting and many others.

Live performances by Tribal Fusion Bellydance and rock bands New Pioneers, Restrayned and Vamp Le Stat entertained visitors on the outdoor stage.

Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez)

DJs David V, Bryan Hawk and Norman Stradley spun popular groves for the indoor crowd.

As the evening continued, guests enjoyed the Vampire Ball inside a large warehouse. A stage had vamps dancing as Skip’s Music played for the audience below. The dance area was a popular spot and the music attracted many monsters and vampires to the dance floor. At one point a monster mosh erupted, but only lasted a few seconds, fun for the participants nonetheless.

Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez)

Many of the costumes worn by guests were very impressive. I would loved to have seen a best costume contest.

Another highlight of the evening included the 2013 Vampire Queen contests. Eleven contestants battled for the title that was decided half by online voting and half by a judging panel. Contestants with names like Quinn Sin Kitten, Ginger Cleary, Belladonna, Mistress Rue, Kadaver O’Keefe, Jezebel, Scarlet Ardeur, Miss Giselle, Mistress Mina, Bad Penny and Mama Satan Vamp made an impression on visitors and judges.

Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez)

Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez) Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez)

Toward the end of the evening, I asked McCabe how the Vampire Ball got started. McCabe said, “I was sitting with my friend Carol Gillis and we were talking about what we should do for Halloween, and this was back in 2009, and we were drinking a bottle of Vampire Vineyards wine, and I said, ‘What should we do for Halloween?’ She said, ‘I don’t know, what about a vampire ball?” I said, Oh my god, what a great idea.’ Vampires are so big right now. Twilight was in its infancy and in its prime as well, and it just made sense. So we did it and it was a huge success that was barely promoted and we had 125 people there. The place was packed, and we just kept on moving up and up from there.”

Asked how long the event has been held at the Placer County Fairgrounds, McCabe stated, “This is the very first year for Placer County Fairgrounds, and I think we did pretty well for the first year.”

Vampire Ball (Image by: David Alvarez)

“We had it at Vega’s the first year in Old Sacramento, and then the following two years we had it at the Crescent Club,” McCabe said.

When asked about what she thought were some of the highlights of the event, McCabe said, “The highlights of the night, for me, were having our actors portray the scenes that were in the movies, and that’s what I want people to walk away with, that they felt like they were in the movie.”

McCabe talked about coming back next year, saying, “We’re definitely going to have it here next year. We’re looking for a long-term deal with the Placer County Fairgrounds, and just to let you know that our sound and lighting guys came from Skip’s Music.”

Skip Maggiora (of Skip’s Music) was one of the judges for the Vampire Pin-up Pageant. McCabe’s outgoing personality has attracted many friends, business partners and volunteers to become involved in the Vampire Ball, making the event a success.

The Vampire Ball was a fun event that brought a large audience to this Halloween weekend venue. Look for updates on their Facebook page to volunteer, or to participate as a vendor, sponsor, actor or vampire queen contestant for next year’s event.