In Troy, Alabama, Mardi Gras is spelled f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s.

“That’s exactly what the Mardi Gras Gala was – fabulous,” said Catherine Jordan, director of the Colley Senior Complex, the beneficiary of the fundraiser at Cattleman Park Saturday night. “Not only did we have a huge crowd, 500-plus, we also had a very energetic and enthusiastic crowd, from 8 o’clock when the band began to play until after midnight. The Mardi Gras Gala was a great success.”

Krissy Pinckard, chair of the Colley Senior Foundation, agreed that the Mardi Gras Gala benefit was fabulous.

“The Mardi Gras Gala continues to grow due to increased interest,” Pinckard said. “Over the past several years, people throughout the community have learned what all the Colley Senior Complex has to offer and are very supportive. And, too, the Gala is a lot of fun. It brings together people of all ages and from all walks of life. Phenomenal is the way I would describe this year’s Mardi Gras Gala. People came and they enjoyed the food, the fellowship and they danced the night away. There was not a time when the dance floor was empty.”

Jordan said the Cattleman Park building was transformed into Bourbon Street with park benches and popular New Orleans establishments like Pat O’Riley’s, House of the Rising Sun and Bourbon Cowboys.

“The food was New Orleans fare was fish and grits, gumbo, catfish, shrimp boil, Southern fried chicken, black-eye peas, bread pudding,” she said. “We capped off the night with beignets and chocolate milk. The Gala was like a night on Bourbon Street.”

Jordan said the support the Gala received from corporate sponsorships was tremendous.

“Not only were our corporate sponsors in the spirit of Mardi Gras, they were in the spirit of giving,” she said. “We appreciate their support of the Colley Senior Complex and the seniors of Troy and Pike County.”

The corporate sponsors for the 2013 Mardi Gras Gala were Dr. Rick Gill, the Colley Foundation, Glow, Tmarie, Green Hills, Pinckard Vault and Marble, Haisten-Shipman and Wiggins, Dr. Doug Hawkins, Alan Boothe, Kenny Campbell, Horn Beverage, Hospice Advantage, KW Container, KW Recycling, Matt Colley Family, The Messenger,

SARHA, Sanders Lead, Tim Whitehead, Troy Cable, Troy Health & Rehabilitation Center, Wiley Sanders Truck Lines and Ideal Graphics.

Reserved table sponsors were Stephanie Baker and friends, Allene Snider and friends, former mayor Jimmy Lunsford, Festi-Gals, Trojan Zone, Troy United Women’s League, Griffin and Wilkes, Ken Cox Ford, Troy University Foundation and Troy Regional Medical Center.

Local businesses, including Horn Beverage and Sips on the Square, participated in the Gala and added local flavor to the New Orleans-style event.

“We thank all of our sponsors and all of those who attended the Gala and made it such a great success and those who purchased tickets for our drawdown for the jeep donated by Tim Whitehead,” Jordan said. “We congratulate Jane Corley, who was the winner of the jeep.”

Jordan saved a special thanks for Pinckard, the Foundation board members and all of the volunteers who worked so tirelessly preparing for and carrying out the Gala.

“Being the new director, I could not have done it without them,” she said.

Jordan said the final tally for the benefit Gala has not been completed because there are bills to be paid and some money to be collected.

“But we are confident that the Mardi Gras Gala was a huge success in every way,” she said. “The money that was raised will be used for the continuation of the 100 plus programs offered to our seniors.

On a monthly basis, we have 1,200 seniors who benefit from our programs. We are continually looking for opportunities to incorporate more programs that are of interest to our seniors.”