For 12 years, the Colley Senior Complex in Troy has been hosting a Mardi Gras Gala in February. The gala is a fundraiser to benefit the Colley Senior Complex but its success is as much in providing a fun time for the community as it is in fund raising, said Catherine Jordan, complex director.

The 2018 Mardi Gras Gala is set for Saturday, February 10 at Cattleman Park and it promises to, once again, be a successful fundraiser and an event of the year.

“The Mardi Gras Gala has grown over the years and it has changed a bit each year,” Jordan said. “Although the gala is an event of the Colley Senior Complex, the gala is also strongly supported by the younger generations and the business community. We are a close-knit community and we care about and support each other.”

Funds raised by the Mardi Gras Gala support the 45 programs offered at the Colley Senior Complex and its activities that are enjoyed by about 1,000 participants each month.

“The Mardi Gras Gala is extremely important to what we do at the Colley Senior Complex,” Jordan said. “So, each year we ‘game up’ to keep the gala exciting. This year, we have a new band, Creativity, from Atlanta. It’s a 12-piece band that plays all types of music. Creativity is popular with the younger generations as well as senior adults.”

The 2018 Mardi Gras Gala will feature a $10,000 drawdown and only 300 tickets will be sold at $100 each.

“You have the possibility of two chances to win the in the drawdown,” Jordan said. “You can purchase an individual ticket and you also have a chance at being a table winner.”

Jordan said no individual tickets are being sold to attend the gala. Corporate tables and reserved table are the only “tickets” to the 2018 Mardi Gras Gala.

Each table purchased will receive a ticket in the drawdown. If that table wins the drawdown, the money can be divided among those at the table.

The corporate tables are $1,300 and seat 10. The reserved tables are $600 and seat eight.

The corporate tables have other perks including finger foods on the table, signature glasses, a bottle of wine and close proximity to the dance floor.

“Last year, by choice, five people split the $10,000 so you don’t have to hold the last ticket to be a winner in the drawdown,” Jordan said. “Having five people decided to split the money, keeps the drawdown interesting.”

The party atmosphere of the Mardi Gras Gala includes food and the gala will have a station for a variety of food preferences.

“We’ll have the very popular Taste of Mardi Gras Cajun Station and the Low Country Boil,” Jordan said. “The Carving Station with prime rib and the Southern Station with fried chicken fingers, catfish and turnip greens add variety. We’ll also have the popular Dessert Station with bread pudding, King Cake, beignets and chocolate milk.”

If that’s not enough, add the Bayou Beverage Bar with Pat O’ Briens, Bourbon Cowboys, Cat’s Meow and House of Horns.

Toss in the Phantom Photo Booth and that’s just a sampling of the atmosphere that will be created at Cattleman Park at Mardi Gras Time. Everyone is invited to “table up” with friends and join the fun of Mardi Gras right here at home.

To purchase a table or drawdown tickets stop by the Colley Senior Complex at 715 Elm Street in Troy. For more information, call 334-808-8500.