FREEPORT — The Freeport Renaissance Association will host a Masquerade Street Dance and Great Balls of Fall event Saturday to benefit community projects.

“I hope that it brings out a lot of people to get everyone together,” said Cindy Harbison, a member of the association.

The dancing will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Fourth Street between High and Market streets, while the Great Balls of Fall event will begin at 7:30 p.m. on High Street between Fourth and Third streets.

For the Great Balls of Fall event, those interested are able to purchase numbered golf balls for $5 at The Canvas Art and Gift Shop, 320 Fifth St.

The numbered golf balls will be released from the top of the hill in a race to the bottom, hitting obstacles along the way.

The first three balls into a pipe at the finish line are the winners, with their owners receiving $100, $75 and $50.

Freeport businesses were given the opportunity to pay $10 to make an obstacle for the golf balls to avoid.

While taking a break from the dance, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy food in the United Methodist Church Social Hall, 211 Fourth St.

There will be mummy hot dogs, spider web funnel cake, witch's brew soup and other Halloween- themed treats.

Those who choose to dress in costumes will receive a 50-cent coupon for a food purchase.

The events will be the first in the fall planned by the renaissance association.

“Since this is our first year (for the events), we don't really have a fundraising goal,” said Mary Bowlin, association president.

The money raised will be used to fund the renovation of a church built in 1837 into a community center.

“Our goals are doing things to improve riverfront park and the downtown business community,” Bowlin said.

The proceeds will also be used to help offset the cost of building a community dock on the riverfront of Freeport Community Park.

“We've been trying to do this for a long time, and we would be so happy if we could do something like (build the dock),” Harbison said.

The group has been working to secure grants and other funding to build the dock.

“That will be a huge success if we can get that installed, but I think anytime you can gather community folks together for a social evening, that's great,” Bowlin said.

Bowlin said when the Freeport Renaissance Association holds events in town, people line the shore with their boats, but are unable to dock and actually go into Freeport to visit stores and other businesses.

Starting in 2005, the group originally met just as friends.

“I had a little gift shop uptown, and a few ladies had met in there and discussed what would be nice to see in Freeport,” said Harbison.

The group plans different events in the community, as well as ways to improve downtown, such as planting and maintaining large flower pots.

The association is also planning its annual Christmas in Freeport event including a Christmas house tour.

Bowlin said, “This year the little church that we've been refurbishing will be on the tour as well.”

<B>WHAT: </B>Masquerade Street Dance and Great Balls of Fall<B>WHEN: </B>Dancing will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday The Great Balls of Fall will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday<B>WHERE: </B>The dancing will be on Fourth Street between High and Market streets in Freeport. Food is in the United Methodist Church Social Hall, 211 Fourth St. The balls will be released at the top of the High Street hill<B>COST: </B>Golf balls are $5 and can be purchased in advance at The Canvas Art and Gift Shop, 320 Fifth St.<B>FOR MORE INFORMATION: </B>Call 724-295-6551 or visit www.freeportren.com.