It’s time for purple, green and gold masks, beads and decorations to usher in the eighth annual Mardi Gras Beer and Wine Tasting Event to support the West Point Clay County Animal Shelter.
The doors of The Civic will open at 6 p.m. for ticket holders to try some of the best craft beers and wine in the area. There will be a silent auction at 9 p.m. together with dancing and a cash bar until midnight. No one under 21 will be admitted. Tickets are $25 and cover food, beer and wine.
Melanie Elmore, of the WPCCAS, said they are in need of food donations of hors d'oeuvres and items for the silent auction.
"We will be accepting donations of food and items for the silent auction," Elmore said."We can take the silent auction donations here at the shelter. We are already loading a trailer with decoration and silent auction donations. Food donations can be taken to The Civic from noon to before the doors open Friday, Feb. 9."
Elmore extended the invitation to everyone in the Golden Triangle area who loves cats and dogs and having a good time.
"If you've never come before, it's great food, good friends and Mardi Gras," Elmore said. "What isn't fun about Mardi Gras? We want to invite everyone to come and have an evening of tasting some great craft beer, wonderful wine and sample the amazing food."
Elmore asked that no outside food or beverages be brought in, there will be plenty available during the evening. She said this isn't a BYOB event, as it defeats the purpose of a fundraiser for the shelter.
"Our main course will be barbecue with all the fixings," Elmore said. "We have a lot of businesses who have been gracious and generous with donating food, but we can always use more hors d'oeuvres and desserts. We always have a huge crowd and we want to make sure everyone has enough to eat."
Lisa Henley, director of the WPCCAS, said they would welcome volunteers who want to help with the set up and decorating at The Civic.
"It's less than a week away, so we want to remind everyone," Henley said. "We would appreciate help with preparations, decorating and food. All donations to the silent auctions are tax deductible."
Henley said she can’t thank the faithful people of the community enough who can always be counted on to buy tickets and donate food for the Mardi Gras event and other fundraisers or who simply donate to the shelter any time of the year.
"The proceeds go for the day-to-day operating costs of the shelter," Elmore said. "We don't receive any federal or state funding, we exist on donations. The largest expenses we have are food for the animals and vaccinations."
Elmore explained the shelter is making improvements to the isolation section of the shelter.
"When animals come in that have been picked up by our animal control officer, we don't know where they come from," Elmore said. "They are put into isolation for seven to 12 days so they can be tested by a vet for contagious diseases. That way they can be treated if there is a problem without the illness spreading."
Tickets can be purchased at the door, at Franks Package Store, The SmokeStack and the West Point Clay County Animal Shelter.
For more information call 524-4430.