East Brainerd resident Keegan Chitwood is launching his business, Keegan Chitwood Events & Design, with his first special event, Night of Fright: Spooktacular Halloween Gala. Chitwood is transforming a historic church building in downtown Chattanooga into a haunted mansion for the 21-and-over event, a Halloween-themed costume party set for Saturday, Oct. 27 from 7-11 p.m.
Night of Fright will feature a costume contest with prizes and live music inspired by the movie "Hocus Pocus.'' Character performers from Magic Lamp Entertainment will resurrect the Sanderson sisters, the three witches from the 1993 movie.
The $60 tickets include a "Pick Your Poison'' open bar featuring beer and wine, and two signature creepy cocktails mixed by James Heeley, owner of new Chattanooga speakeasy London Calling. Guests can also enjoy cupcakes from Johnny Cakes and a dessert bar catered by A Silverware Affair.
A portion of the event's proceeds will be donated to the MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Foundation, a college scholarship program for the children of breast cancer patients. Chitwood, the oldest of three children raised by a single mother, was 8 when his mother, then 29, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She went into remission after battling the cancer for two years, and became a two-time breast cancer survivor after being diagnosed again during his senior year in high school.
He received a scholarship from the foundation to attend the college of his choice and, at 22, recently graduated from the New York Institute of Art and Design, where he majored in interior and event design.
"My mom taught me to always give back to who gives to you," Chitwood said, adding that he plans to present a large donation to the foundation the night of the event. "I wouldn't be able to produce this company of my dreams without the help of the foundation."
Chitwood's business offers full-service event planning, and his team includes event coordinator Ashley Brockman. He, meanwhile, focuses on the design aspects of events, including floral and lighting design and tablescapes.
Chitwood's event experience began at 15, when he started helping at a Lee Highway family business, Celebration Event Center.
"I've always had an eye for design," said Chitwood, who loves focusing on the details and seeing an event come together. "My favorite part is seeing people come in and how amazed they are."
Night of Fright: Spooktacular Halloween Gala will be held at 901 Lindsay, an event venue located at 901 Lindsay St. A limited number of tickets are available, and must be purchased by Friday, Oct. 26 through eventbrite.com. For more information, visit kcdesign.online, kchitwood_events.design on Instagram, or Night of Fright: Spooktacular Halloween Gala on Facebook.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.