Mardi Gras Gala
Mardi Gras 2009 culminated on Fat Tuesday (February 24, 2009) with cocktails, dinner and music at the Cincinnati Hyatt Regency. This 5th Annual Fund Raiser to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati brought out the generosity of some of this city’s finest.
Women donned their finest and looked beautiful against the backdrop of purple, green and gold that surrounded our guests at every turn. Hurricanes flowed freely as did Chocolatinis and others as revelers mingled among the silent auction items while the wait staff offered plate after plate of hors d'oevres. Jugglers, a stilt walker and magician provided for constant amusement.
Mr. Thom Brennaman emceed the Gala with his usual wit and witticisms, wowing the crowd with his auctioneering abilities, serving up the very best seats for several Cincinnati Reds games for the 2009 season. The Hyatt came through with not one, but two, Chef’s Dinners for 10 guests with overnight accommodations and breakfast.
This year’s guest speaker, Ms. Mandy Valentine 16, captured the audience with her inspirational story of her own struggles and successes in living with epilepsy.
We would like to thank Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions and Cincinnati Bell for their generosity in co-sponsoring this year’s Mardi Gras.
Of special note as King’s Court Sponsors: Cisco, EMC2, Fifth Third Bank, Hunt Builders Corporation, Microsoft, Nortel, Standard Register, and UCB Pharma.
Many thanks to the helpful people from the local community and businesses who volunteered their time and efforts to make an event of this size possible. We would like to acknowledge volunteers from Fifth Third Bank, Jane Stropes, Brenda Stier, Patty Szabo, Shelia Leavitt, Holy Family Home Educators Youth, Member of the St. Xavier High School Marching Band and the Cincinnati Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.
Jeff Ficke, John Burns, Mandy Valentine, Kathy Stewart, Jim Scott, Jim Comodeca and Thom Brennaman at the 2009 Mardi Gras Gala
View all of the event pictures here!
The annual Mardi Gras Gala is a festive evening celebrated on "Fat Tuesday"--the annual day of enchantment that marks the final opportunity to indulge before the feast of Lent begins, kicking off a 40-day period of self-denial and abstinence from merrymaking.
The evening begins with a cocktail reception complete with roaming musicians, jugglers and magicians. The evening's elaborate decorations mirror a New Orleans Bourbon Street party. A parade led by the "Mardi Gras King" brings the guests into a grand room where they will be greeted with beads, masks, doubloons and towering centerpieces to enjoy an open bar, a sit-down dinner, dancing and Dixieland-style bands. The highlight of the evening is the crowning of the "Mardi Gras King".
Main roles:
The King of Mardi Gras is a prominent member of the corporate community. He is a leader who has shown his commitment to Cincinnati through his active involvement in business and social concerns. He has proven his desire to support local organizations.
The Dinner Chairs and Vice Chairs are well-known business leaders in the Cincinnati community. They embrace charitable and altruistic events. They help create an invitation list by identifying corporations, colleagues, associates and friends who would be interested in attending this event.
2009 Guest Speaker, Mandy Valentine with her Parents