Its Fat Tuesday and people in Reno are celebrating Mardi Gras in their own way. The Rotary Club of Reno held their annual Reno Mardi Gras fundraiser Tuesday evening. 1,600 people were expected to attend. At the Mardi Gras event, Laurie Bailey weaved through the crowd honing in on her target. “Beignets. You don't know what a beignet is? You’ve never been to New Orleans have you," said Bailey.
The Rotary Club of Reno brings a little bit of New Orleans to the area every year, for the last 28 years. It’s all part of their annual Reno Mardi Gras fundraiser. “We want this to be an elegant event. But we want people to have a really good time. We have New Orleans music and we try to get New Orleans flavored food. And there are frog legs in the VIP area,” said the event’s organizer Debe Fennell.
10 different restaurants served food this year. Not just the frog legs and shrimp, but also Indian food. While that isn't traditionally Mardi Gras, the beads costumes, and hurricanes drinks stuck to the theme. “It's a time of year people enjoy celebrating. It’s an event in February; it’s not Valentine’s Day. People get to dress up in costumes,” said Rotary Club of Reno President Mary Brock.
The event raised funds for the Rotary Club of Reno and their community assistance programs. “Locally we have projects that include the Sierra Nevada Journeys, Girl Scouts of America, Lemelson STEM Academy, and the downtown Rotary Club Gardens. Internationally we have a helped start an orphanage in Panama for special needs children,” said Brock.
The event started off as a wine and food event. That tradition continues this year with 312 different types of wine in addition to a bourbon tasting area. There was also a raffle and silent auction.. For Bailey her dessert came first. “They are really hot and good,” said Bailey.
The party was a great way to celebrate before the more solemn Ash Wednesday that happens on February 26, 2020.
