Fun was had by all who attended the Mardi Gras celebration hosted by the Holy Trinity Parish churches on Sunday, February 19th. This first of its kind event was held at the Lion’s Community Center which had been decorated with table coverings and balloons in the usual Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold. Banners, signs and bowls of colored rice also made the building more festive.
Mardi Gras is a tradition observed with food and merriment ahead of the beginning of the more somber Lenten season. Often associated with New Orleans and other Southern areas, the cuisine includes jambalaya, beans and rice, and grits. Those items were all offered in Goodhue along with local favorites including BBBQ’s. Following the King’s Cake tradition, those lucky enough to find an edible baby Jesus inside a cupcake could pick a prize.
Kids enjoyed free games and face painting and anyone could create their own Mardi Gras mask. Another very popular attraction was the cornhole competition. For $10 you could throw 10 beanbags in 30 seconds. Brady Bigalk won this competition and received $300.00 for his efforts. The event was a fundraiser for Youth and Family Ministry with 10% going to First Choice Clinic in Red Wing.
