The Italian American Club of Livonia Charitable Foundation will present "Ballo in Maschera," a costume ball fundraiser for The Parade Company. This elegant event will kick-off the "2013 Year of Italian Culture in the U.S.," as declared by the Italian Ambassador to the United States.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Italian American Club of Livonia, 39200 Five Mile Road, Livonia. Tickets are $75."This is a wonderful opportunity to have an elegant event and raise funds for one of Detroit's treasures," said Foundation president Anna Giammarco. "We want to raise money to restore artisan masks from Viareggio, Italy, which were given to The Parade Company back in 1934. Many of them are used in the parade and many more need restoration."

The evening's events will include strolling entertainers, dinner and dancing and a special contest for best costume. For $100, donors can become a "friend" of "Ballo in Maschera" and receive a special mention in the evening's program and be entered into a special drawing.

For more information or to RSVP for the event, call (734) 953-1137.