Andrews – It was all sparkly dresses, Venetian masks and Zydeco music down at the Vallytown Cultural Arts Center on Saturday night.
Nola Cooper, president of the Andrews Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that the total attendance was just over 100 for the event.
Mary Ann Anderson, event coordinator of the first Mardi Gras Gala – in full fancy dress and pluming feathered mask – said the event was her idea.
“I was bored,” she said. “I threw the idea out, and everybody jumped on it.”
The price to Anderson? “They said I could be in charge,” she said with another laugh.
Apparently, the party became her labor of love. The entire hall was decorated Mardi Gras-style, meaning colorful green, purple and gold streamers swayed around the room and jazzy posters hung on the walls, perfect for taking selfies.
Snowbird Mountain Brewery and Ferncrest Winery supplied libations adding a layer of merriment to the gala. The event was catered by Carlotta’s, who made the muffalatta (pronounced: muff-uh-LOT-uh) and the famous King Cake. Both were baked in the rich Mardi Gras colors.
A Muffalatta is an Italian-based sandwich crammed full of cured meats, cheeses and a special olive dressing full of Mardi Gras secrets. The cake, too, held a secret, as King Cake tradition requires that a little trinket, usually a tiny plastic king, be baked inside for the finder’s good luck.
This year, the King Cake itself was prized to Dee Henson, who drove all the way over from Asheville to attend the party. Her dress, a memorable sparkly green fit and flare with a peekaboo black tulle underskirt, caught the attention of the award givers.
“I ordered it on Amazon,” she said, laughing. “I just put ‘Mardi Gras’ in the search bar!”
Her partner, Dustin Demos of Young Harris, Ga., said, “We love New Orleans.”
The happy couple was the first to break in the dance floor, dancing to DJ The Soundman 4U, Tim Massey’s arousing Zydeco music.
Partygoer Roz Barnett attended in a posh black wig with bold streaks of color stripped through in true Mardi Gras style. Swaying her head this way and that for the full color show effect, Barnett said, “I’m just for fun!”
Indeed, most of the attendees seemed to be just there for fun. Mayor James Reid wore a steampunk hat he bought at the Andrews Oktoberfest street party last fall from a local vendor.
“I love socializing with everybody here and having a good time,” he said. Scanning the cheerful gala, Reid added, “They put a lot of work into this.”
David Phillips, wearing a catchy purple hat and full purple suit, said his attendance was mandatory. “My wife told me I had to come,” he joked, before adding, “I love festive gatherings.”
It was a difficult task to stand out among the flashy and wildly dressed crowd, but Kara Hastings of Murphy managed to do so in an elegant, creamy white dress. The bodice featured Disneyland’s Cinderella’s Castle carefully etched out in tiny crystal beads.
Hastings is a Mardi Gras professional. “We’ve been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans several times, and love the Preservation Hotel with its real New Orleans jazz house band,” she said.
With 40 years of marriage connecting the two, Mike and Kay Foy of Red Marble secured their partnership by wearing matching Mardi Gras vests and bowties. Like most of those present, the Foys have experienced Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
“This is lots of fun getting together with people, getting to know folks and just enjoying the revelry,” Kay said.
Two gold-plated thrones sat empty throughout the party, waiting for the crowd to vote for their Mardi Gras king and queen. It was a good thing David Phillips’ wife made him come, as the two of them were bestowed the honors and crowned king and queen of Andrews’ Mardi Gras.