While often referred to as “Fat Tuesday”, the second annual Mardi Gras celebration and fundraiser at the Goodhue Lions building was held on Sunday, February 11th. The event was hosted by the local Holy Trinity Parish Churches of St. Columbkill, Holy Trinity and St. Mary. In many cultures, the time between the Christmas season and Lent is known as “carnival”, a season extending over several weeks, beginning at Epiphany and ending at midnight before Ash Wednesday.
Traditionally, Mardi Gras ushers in the Lenten season as a day to have a party and use up the ingredients and food that would not be eaten while fasting during Lent. Goodhue’s celebration included many food options including Southern-style grits with shrimp and bacon, Jambalaya, beans and rice. Fulton’s catering did a great job preparing the specialties, adding a family favorite, Grandma Audrey’s Grits. For the less adventurous, the parish kitchen crew provided Midwest favorites. The King Cupcakes with the baby Jesus hidden inside symbolizing the relationship to the Christmas season and Epiphany, were one of the children’s favorites. Eva Diercks created a wonderful display on the King Cake table with the cupcakes she made.
Families again enjoyed hand and face painting, mask decorating and other activities. New this year was a spin the wheel activity with Mardi Gras questions asked to win a prize, a cookie walk and children’s corn hole. The accelerated corn hole competition was won by Jake Harmon who received $300.00, Matt Lexvold won $200.00 for second and Maggie Bigalk took home $100.00 for her third place finish. Funds raised support Holy Trinity Youth and Family Ministry and First Choice Clinic.
