Burrage Mansion Masquerade Had a Spooky Twist

Friday night, Oct. 24, was the 3rd annual Mansion Masquerade held at the famous Haunted Burrage Mansion in Redlands. Every year the event, hosted by Boys and Girls Club and the Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, is open to all community members. All funds raised go directly to the Boys and Girls Club. “The money raised at Mansion Masquerade helps us maintain the nationally recognized programming we have in place as well as work to initiate new programs and activities for the kids to help them reach their goals of being successful students and young citizens in our community,” said P.T. McEwen, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside. Everyone was encouraged to dress up in their best Halloween costumes. Various local restaurants donated food and catered to the party, including Buffalo Wild Wings and Jose’s Mexican Restaurant. There was also a traditional bar, and a table filled with candy, of course. At 8 p.m., the tour of the Mansion started, it including a brief film of former groundskeeper Leonard Smith sharing haunting stories of paranormal activity he experienced while working at the mansion. After the short film, everyone in the tour was asked to choose one door to walk through. Form this point on it was as if attendees were in a haunted maze while they waited for people to jump out at them. By the end of the tour, everyone was able to walk underneath the mansion which lead to the exact place where the groundskeeper worked and experienced the paranormal activity. One tour-goer said, “He [Leonard Smith] is right, it gets really cold right here... as if this is where the spirits are.” Before starting the tour, Kimberly Stauffer, development director at Boys and Girls Club, said to tour-goers, “There may or may not be clowns,” as she closed the door laughing. A very tall man covered in black cloth from head-to-toe, resembling the Grim Reaper, joined the group on the tour. Attendees were able to feel the uneasiness as he quietly followed and walked around the room staring at everyone. This year had a spooky twist as opposed to the previous years. “We weren’t allowed to scare people on the tour last year, but we are this time,” Stauffer shared. [END] 2014 Mansion Masquerade Date: 10/24/2014 Time: 7:00 p.m. Event Location: Burrage Mansion Address: 1205 W Crescent Ave Redlands CA 92373 Description: Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary and Boys & Girls Clubs host. Includes dinner, dancing, costumes, silent auction & more. CONTACT INFO Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mansion-masquerade-boys-girls-clubs-of-greater-redlands-riverside-tickets-13532747813?ref=enivtefor001&invite=Njg3MjIyNS9ncmFuZHRlcnJhY2VAY2l0eW5ld3Nncm91cC5jb20vMA%3D%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=invite Redlands has become known for its tales of haunted houses, mansions and parks throughout the area. The Burrage Mansion is one of the places who has made that list and will be host to an upcoming Halloween Ball featuring a historic tour of the mansion and grounds. Leonard Smith, the grounds keeper at the Burrage Mansion, has had several occasions throughout the years with whom he likes to call “friendly visitors.” In 2013, Smith shared a few of his mysterious encounters around the mansion and explains how things had been moved in attic space, how doors slam shut and how he has felt the presence of others all while knowing he was the only person at the mansion during the time. This interview was captured on video and will be shared with guests at an upcoming event held at the mansion. With support from The Rochford Foundation and Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside will host their 3rd Annual Mansion Masquerade event at the Burrage Mansion on Friday, Oct. 24 from 7 to 11 p.m. This event is a 21 and older Halloween ball for our community to come dressed up to enjoy an evening of food, drinks, dancing, a silent auction and unique historic tour of the Burrage Mansion. “This event started with the idea that Redlands has a big Halloween following but didn’t have an event for adults in our community. We now have a great venue at the Burrage Mansion, a great story and history with some haunted tales to share, and amazing support from our community partners who provide food, drinks and entertainment for the event. Best of all, we are able to use the money raised to give back to the kids at Boys & Girls Clubs and help them have successful futures ahead,” says Kelley Bowden, Mansion Masquerade Presenting Sponsor and General Manager at Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary. “The money raised at Mansion Masquerade helps us to maintain the nationally recognized programming we have in place as well as work to initiate new programs and activities for the kids to help them reach their goals of being successful students and young citizens in our community,” says P.T. McEwen, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside. “It is events like Mansion Masquerade and our generous sponsors and guests who help us keep our doors open and allow us to serve more kids year after year.” Kate Salvesen, President of La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries shares, “The Burrage Mansion is the perfect place to host a Halloween themed event to benefit the community. The history there along with the beautiful grounds makes for a perfect combination of spooky and fun for everyone. We have a trick or treat bar along with your traditional bar, some great silent auction and raffle prizes and of course a chance to tour the mansion. I have heard some of the haunted stories first hand and it gives me the chills every time. I encourage everyone to get their tickets and come out to the event!” For more information and to purchase tickets for the event, visit Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside website at www.BeGreatIE.org or contact Kimberly Stauffer, Development Director at 888-822-6535 ext 206.