High Plains Mental Health Center
Behind every mask is a face and behind every face is a story. Join High Plains Mental Health Center for the second annual “Masquerade on Main” gala in downtown Hays. This magical event will feature a masquerade ball theme with music, heavy hors d' oeuvres, drinks, and a dazzling array of silent and live auction items.
Masquerade on Main will be Saturday, May 31, at the beautiful and historic Strand Event Center, 1102 Main. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event will end at 11 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at donatehighplains.com, auctria.events/masqueradeonmain or reserved by emailing staff directly at [email protected]. A $50 admission ticket includes food, refreshments and a bidding number.
“We hope you will join us for a fun evening of music, drinks and good conversation, all to support a critically important community mission,” said James Gerstner, development officer. “By all accounts, everyone who attended last year’s Masquerade had a lot of fun and it was a highlight of their summer. You won’t want to miss all we have in store for round two.”
Tickets will be available online through May 30, and a limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance. For a limited time, a Mother’s Day special will be available for early bird ticket sales. Anyone who buys tickets online by May 9 will be entered into a prize drawing to win a beautiful Mother’s Day gift basket, valued at $80.
Music will be provided courtesy of Midnight Productions, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening. Cocktail attire is suggested and opera masks are optional. Drink tickets will be provided for complementary cocktails or mocktails, and delicious food service is provided by Gella’s Diner.
In addition to an extensive array of auction items, the event will feature two fun new raffle games. For $20, guests may purchase a key for the evening, and one magical key will unlock the “phantom’s cage,” with the winner collecting all the prizes inside. Guests may also choose to purchase a mystery book for $20. The book is theirs to keep, and some books will contain gift cards within the pages. One lucky winner will receive a cash prize. All participants have an equal chance to win!
All proceeds from the event will benefit development of a new Crisis Intervention Center, opening in downtown Hays this November. The CIC will be the first of its kind in northwest Kansas, providing a vital resource for individuals facing mental health and substance use crises. Too often, those in crisis find themselves in emergency rooms unequipped to provide the specialized care they need or, even worse, in jail due to a lack of appropriate alternatives.
The CIC will change that by offering immediate stabilization, treatment, and support in a safe, therapeutic environment that upholds the dignity of every individual. Learn more about the future CIC and opportunities for community partnerships at donatehighplains.com.
“This is more than an investment in mental health infrastructure — it is an investment in hope, dignity, and community well-being,” said Craig Poe, CEO of High Plains Mental Health Center. “The CIC will provide immediate stabilization, professional support, and a path forward for individuals in crisis, ensuring they receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place.”
The Masquerade on Main is High Plains Mental Health Center’s largest annual fundraising event, focusing on a theme of un-masking stigma around mental illness and difficult emotions. Everyone has a story, and it’s not all written yet! Mental healthcare is healthcare, and timely access to needed treatment is essential for building strong, resilient communities. Now more than ever, you can shine a light and help change someone’s story.
“We cannot do this alone – now more than ever, your support makes a huge difference,” Poe said. “Please partner with us for this important project by buying tickets and joining us for a great time and a great cause on May 31.”