This year’s Mardi Gras has come and gone and Halloween is still a solid seven months away, but an event taking place Friday will keep its attendants in masks and good spirits.

Companions for Children will host its annual fundraiser Friday at The Grand Hotel starting at 7 p.m. for people age 21 and over.

The event, “Martini Masquerade,” is held to raise funds for the Companions for Children program. While costumes are not required, attendees are asked to “dress to impress,” which is of a semi-formal attire. Masks will be provided. There will be music offered by a jazz group from Minot State University as well as by the band Tin Star, said Heather Johnson, executive director of Companions for Children. Also at the masquerade will be dancing, martini sampling, hors d’oevres, a raffle and a live and silent auction.

Sponsors for “Martini Masquerade” include The Grand Hotel, I Do Balloons, Affinity First Federal Credit Union and Delta Vacations.

Johnson said Companions for Children has used a Mardi Gras theme for its annual fundraiser in years’ past, but the theme is a little different this year.

“This fundraiser helps with everything we do,” she added.

Companions for Children is a local non-profit agency in Minot that provides a mentor relationship between a child and an adult volunteer. The children, who are between the ages of 6 and 14, come from single parent or other non-traditional households. All of the adult mentors are 18 years or older and have to commit to at least one year, Johnson said.

There has been an increased interest in this year’s fundraiser, and Johnson said there is going to be a bigger crowd than usual.

“We’re expecting about 250 guests,” she added. In fact, there has been so much interest in this year’s fundraiser event that the tickets have already sold out. However, Johnson said people are encouraged to “like” Companions for Children on Facebook to be the first to hear when tickets are available for next year.

People who have questions about the fundraiser or Companions for Children, can call Johnson at 838-5784.