Local Biz Leaders Beat March 8 Deadline for Mardi Gras Gala

The 4th annual Mardi Gras Gala Auction fundraiser by the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Area Chamber of Commerce went off without a hitch Friday at Orlando's Banquet facility on Watson Road.

The group beat Mardi Gras proper, March 8, by over a week.

Mask-wearing Chamber members and guests started at 6 p.m. Friday with eating, drinking, bidding for auction, gaming and dancing until 10 p.m.

The mood was lively, the auction items luxurious and food included Cajun-style gumbo and King's Cake drizzled with frosting the colors of Mardi Gras--purple, green and yellow.

Tables and guests were draped with sparkling bead necklaces--the men as well as the women.

The jury was still out on how much funding was raised for tornado victims and college scholarships for high school seniors. However, tickets were $45 with at least 150 guests in evidence. A live auction appeared to raise about $5,000. It was unclear how much was made through the silent auction.

Mardi Gras translates from the French as Fat Tuesday, a Christian tradition of feasting prior to the season of Lent which begins with a fast on Ash Wednesday, and then followed by Easter.

This year the last day of Mardi Gras, or also called Shrove Tuesday, is March 8. Easter is celebrated Sunday, April 24 this year.