Feathers, food, glamour and mystery are all on the playlist for the Child Advocacy Center’s sixth annual Pinwheel Masquerade Ball & Auction to Unmask Child Abuse, but topping the chart is the awareness and support raised to benefit this longstanding Fayetteville nonprofit. You can contribute to the safe and child-friendly center’s goals to interview, investigate and provide support for child abuse victims by joining in the fun and philanthropy Oct. 19, from 7-11 p.m., at this year’s new venue, Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

CAC Executive Director Roberta Humphries is excited about the event’s new location.

“The event has grown each year,” she explained. “The new garden venue will allow us to have more space in addition to indoor and outdoor seating. Guests will also have full access to view the Boo-tanical Halloween lights unique to the garden in October.”

To get in the spirit, gala guests are invited to don their fanciest masks of the non-Halloween variety and ballroom attire for the event. Entertainment for the evening includes a DJ, dance demonstrations, photo booth fun, chic cuisine, mask contests and both live and silent auctions for amazing prizes. Expect to see a flurry of food choices from 10 local culinary sponsors, beer, wine and other beverages, including the night’s signature drink, a pumpkin martini. Auction items up for bid include jewelry, college sports tickets, wine baskets, gift certificates and trip packages from Amfund to many desirable destinations — redeemable for up to three years.

Or instead of an item, why not bid on a service needed by a child abuse victim or family member? Stuffed animals priced to match the cost of essential resources will be up for bid, with a name and storyline to boot. For example, a plush dog tagged at $150 matches the price point of three mental health counseling sessions for a CAC client.

The Pinwheel Masquerade Ball is one of two signature fundraisers the CAC has each year. Locals love the excitement and mystique of the fall gala and the musical merriment of the spring’s Fayetteville Ultimate Lip Sync Challenge, too. According to Humphries, the center depends on these events, grants and charitable donations to be able to serve the approximately 700 child abuse victims the center sees each year.

Services include providing forensic interviews for child abuse victims in a safe setting, child advocacy to initiate the recovery process and direct assistance through mental health counseling and communitywide prevention education.

Until Oct. 5, early bird pricing for the Pinwheel Masquerade Ball & Auction is $75 per person,  $140 per couple or $1,000 for a limited number of premier reserved tables for eight with added amenities to include Champagne, signature drink tickets, special table decor and signage.  Standard pricing begins after Oct. 5 at $100 per person, $175 per couple and premier tables prices of eight at $1,200. Tickets are available for purchase in person at the Child Advocacy Center at 222 Rowan Street or online at www.CACFayNC.org or www.Eventbrite.com.

Last year, the Pinwheel Masquerade Ball & Auction raised more than $47,000 to help local children.