The Mardi Gras Gala is one of the most anticipated and well-attended events in Pike County.

Catherine Jordan, director of the sponsoring Colley Senior Complex, said when all of the planning, preparation and hard work comes together on Saturday night at Cattleman Park, the fun and festivities will make it all worthwhile.

“The Mardi Gras Gala is absolutely the most fun,” Jordan said. “It brings us all together for a night of fun and fellowship, of dining and dancing and even drama, when the draw-down gets down to the last few names and everybody is on pins and needles.”

The Mardi Gras Gala is an annual fundraiser for the Colley Senior Complex. The funds are used in support of the many programs offered free, or next to free, to senior adults in the area.

“Without the funds raised by the Mardi Gras Gala, we would not be able to offer the number and variety of programs that we do, Jordan said. “We appreciate and thank Mayor Jason Reeves and the Troy City Council, all the city employees who pitched in to help and the management team. We could not do it without their help.”

Jordan said the Mardi Gras Gal is a celebration of community. “And, it’s for such a good cause – our senior adults who have been and continue to be so vital to our community.

“The gala is, once again, sold out and that is an indication of the value the community places on our senior citizens and of the appreciation we have for them.”

And the Mardi Gras Gala is loads of fun, Jordan said.

“City Heat,” a 12 piece-band from Atlanta will be back by popular demand. The band plans all kinds of music, 1970s and ’80s, R&B and Pop. They play it all.”

The buffet will feature a lavish array of Cajun foods. For those who prefer other dishes, the buffet also features chicken, baked oysters, shrimp, grits, black-eye peas – everything Cajun and everything Southern, and sweet.

“We’ll also have beignets and coffee and chocolate chip muffins and bread pudding to die for,” Jordan said. “

This year, the pot has been sweetened for the draw-down from $10,000 to $12,000.

“And everyone that attends will have a chance to win,” Jordan said. “Each table of eight will have a ticket in the draw-down so it’s possible that eight people could share the $12,000. With everybody ‘in,’ the draw-down should be even more exciting.”

Jordan said everyone is encouraged to stay around until the last dance.

“City Heat will mix the music so we’ll have music for everyone to dance by throughout the night,” she said.

“It will be a night of dining and dancing, fun and fellowship. We want to thank all of those who have worked so hard to make the Mardi Gras Gala a success and all of those who come out in support of our senior adult community. Thank you, everyone.”