The 2017 Mardi Gras Gala benefit for the Colley Senior Complex in Troy is sold out. That’s good news for the complex and not so good news for those who still planned to purchase tickets for the February 11 event at Cattleman Park.

“This year, we sold tables and all of the tables are sold out,” said Catherine Jordan, complex director. “We realized that people enjoy coming to the Mardi Gras Gala with friends and they want to sit together. So, we sold tables of eight and 10 and no individual tickets.”

Jordan said, according to the count, more than 600 people will enjoy the annual benefit gala.

“The gala is a way residents, businesses and corporations can give back to the community,” Jordan said. “The funds raised are used to support the programs at the Colley Senior Complex that keep our senior adults active and involved rather than sitting around their homes feeling sad and lonely. The gala is a wonderful way to give back to those who have given so much to our community.”

The Mardi Gras Gala is a community party. People of all ages and from all walks of life come together for a night of fun and entertainment, Jordan said.

The featured band for the 2017 Mardi Gras Gala is City Heat, a show band from Atlanta.

“You don’t have to dress in any certain way for the Mardi Gras Gala or to dance to be big city band,” Jordan said. “You can wear Mardi Gras attire or formal attire or you can come in blue jeans and cowboy boots — just any way that you feel comfortable.”

The gala will also feature a photo booth so people can have their pictures taken and put on any facebook or twitter so their friends can see where they are and what they are doing, Jordan said.

The Mardi Gras Gala will also feature a drawdown to benefit the Colley Senior Complex. The last of the 300 numbers drawn will win either $10,000 or opt for a travel voucher for that amount to be used for a big trip to Paris or somewhere equally exciting or for several small trips throughout the year.

“The last five names in the drawing will have the option to split the cash and go home with $2,000 in their pockets,” Jordan said. “If they decided to continue with the drawdown, then one person will win the jackpot.”

Tickets for the drawdown are available at the Colley Senior Complex on Elm Street in Troy. Donations are $100 per ticket.

Mardi Gras T-shirts will be available at the gala along with Mardi Gras beads and other party favors. There is no membership fee at the Colley Senior Complex.  However, fees are sometimes required for the purchase of materials for certain programs.

Funds raised via the Mardi Gras Gala are used in support of the varied programs at the senior complex.