Welcome to our 11th Annual Mardi Gras, a dazzling gala of lights, music, dancing and fun for everyone! This year’s festivities will take place Saturday, February 13th, when the FCC and the Gathering Place will be transformed into a bit of New Orleans right here in Minnesota. Mardi Gras is a fun filled evening that you do not want to miss!

 

Tickets for the event will be $50.00 per person which will include a four course meal by Thyme to Entertain and live music and dancing.  Exotic Hurricanes, Ice Martini Luge, fabulous live and silent auction items, games and great prizes will also be available for purchase! Tickets will be on sale in the Gathering Place after all Masses every weekend beginning January 10th, and in the parish office during the week.

Silent Auction

Beginning at 5:15 PM our Silent Auction will once again be the cornerstone of the evening with a variety of wonderful items to tempt you including such things as beautiful framed prints for your home; theatre tickets at local repertoires; golf and bowling packages for family fun, not to mention a fabulous two night get away. This year we will once again feature the wonderful gift baskets created by each class at St. Stephen’s School. Thanks to our generous donors there is something special for everyone.

Live Auction

At 9:00 PM we will begin our exciting LIVE auction where each patron has an opportunity to bid for that fabulous prize of their dreams. This year we have a large variety of items including a week long Williamsburg, Virginia vacation in June 2010; a Florida getaway in October 2010, a private four person pheasant hunt, tailgating and tickets to a Gopher football game with Fr. Mike, and many more fabulous prizes.

Best Of The Live Auction Raffle

Your Chance to Start Even Earlier!

We would again like to give you the chance to take part in the Mardi Gras Live Auction whether you are able to attend or not!

 

Best of the Live Auction Raffle tickets will be available for $25.00 each in the Gathering Place after Masses, in the Parish Office during the week and the night of Mardi Gras, February 13th 2010. Each ticket allows you the chance to pick one of six 2010 select Live Auction Items. One lucky winner’s name will be drawn before the start of the Live Auction. The item they have chosen on that ticket will be pulled from the Live Auction and that lucky person will have won that Live Auction Item!

 

This opportunity will again allow any member of our extended community to take part in this great event, as you DO NOT NEED TO BE PRESENT to win!

 

The instructions are simple:

Fill out the raffle ticket. Make sure to choose the letter that corresponds with the Live Auction Item that you want to win if your ticket is pulled.
Bring the ticket and a check or cash for $25.00 to St. Stephen's Church.

 

BEST OF THE LIVE AUCTION Item Descriptions

 

A.  26” Samsung Plasma T.V. and Panasonic DVD Home Theater System

Samsung 26” LCD 720p 60 Hz HDTV. 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, wide color enhancer.  Home theater receiver with built-in progressive scan and five DVD/CD changer, four satellites (two with floor stands), center channel and 6.5” 100W Kelton subwoofer, multi-format playback, 1000W total output power, built-in DTS/Dolby Digital Decoder, Dolby Pro Logic II, Whisper-mode surround sound, subwoofer level control, EQ, 1080p DVD upconversion via HDMI, Viera Link, HDAVI control, digital synthesized tuning system, integrated IPod dock, ENERGRY STAR, HDMI port, wireless port, universal remote control, black.

Total Value $828.00

 

 

B.  2“Impulse” Kayaks and Paddles

Red in color. Dimensions: 10’ long X 31” wide. Weight 45 lbs. Max weight (for person using kayak) 220 lbs.

Total Value $700.00

 

 

C.  One week stay in Williamsburg, Virginia

Enjoy your vacation the week of June 12, 2010 – June 19, 2010. The Colonies at Williamsburg is located in James City County, Virginia, which is known for its history. The resort offers spacious accommodations and amenities including a large club house with a fitness room, a game room, indoor pool, tennis courts, and an outdoor pool. This condo is a two bedroom, two bath that sleeps six. In the area are Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Island, Yorktown, Busch Gardens, and Water Country USA. Also nearby, award-winning golf courses, shopping, and fine dinning abound. Great for kids! Travel back in time and see the birth of our nation!  For more information on the resort please visit www.intervalworld.com. Trip does not include airfare or other expenses.

Total Value $1800.00

 

D.  A set of braces at WOW Orthodontics, Bruce K.A. Dormanen, DDS

Up to $6280.00 in braces from WOW Orthodontics. WOW Orthodontics have been in business for over 20 years. Includes traditional braces or Invisalign braces for children or adults. Four convenient locations in Anoka, Champlin, Elk River and Princeton. Braces must be started by December 31, 2010. Visit www.wowortho.com

Total Value $6,280.00

 

E.  Pheasant Hunt for 4 at LeBlanc’s Rice Creek Hunting Lodge
You and three friends will be guided at the LeBlanc Rice Creek Hunting Lodge in Little Falls. Pheasants are placed in the field as far ahead as possible and have free range over 1,200 acres of corn/sorghum fields, brushy oak woodlands and cattail sloughs. Must be 18 years old. This hunt includes the services of Rice Creek’s hunting dogs and professional guide. Start your day with breakfast rolls and hot coffee, finish the hunt with a great Minnesota pheasant “hotdish” lunch and regional beverages of your choice. Your birds are cleaned and ready to cook when you leave. Visit www.ricecreekhunting.com

Total Value $900.00

 

F.  2009 Polaris Sportsman 90 Child Size ATV

Green in color, this smaller version of the best selling adult Sportsman is sure to be a hit. 4 stroke engine with reverse and electric start.

Total Value $2500.00

 

 

School Raffle

We will also once again have the school tuition raffle. Tickets are $5.00 and may be purchased in the Gathering Place after all masses beginning February 3rd, or in the parish office during the week. One lucky winner will receive one year paid tuition at St. Stephen’s School, and one lucky second place winner will receive one full year of paid lunches at St. Stephen’s School for the 2010-2011 school year. This is a great opportunity for Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and other family members to support their favorite student. You may also donate the winnings to the adopt-a-student fund to help pay for child’s tuition/lunch.

Dinner Menu

Hors D’Oeuvres Buffet: Imported and Local Cheese and Fruit Presentation

Soup: Chicken Sausage Gumbo

Salad: Louisiana Caesar with Corn Bread Croutons, Shaved Red Onions and Creamy Parmesan Dressing

Entrees: Creole Rubbed Pork Roast set on Creamed Corn Mash Potatoes and Smothered Green Beans

Dessert: Black Bottom Cream Pie –Chocolate Ganache topped with Vanilla custard, Whipped cream and Berry sauce

*Bread and Decaf coffee for each table

Games

Once again this year we will have many fun games taking place throughout the evening. Part of this fun will be Heads or Tails. Purchase your $10.00 necklace that evening to take part in the game as a coin is tossed to determine if you guessed right in order to remain standing. The last person standing will ultimately win the $500 cash prize. Don’t miss this chance to bet the odds and have some fun!

 

We will also continue our tradition with Busting for Baubles. Purchase a balloon for $10.00 (there will only be 100 sold!) for a chance to win a stunning pair of 1/2 carat diamond stud earrings from Dan Gould Jewelry. Within each balloon will be a slip of paper, but only ONE balloon will have the certificate for the diamond earrings. Gentlemen, don’t miss this chance to buy a balloon for your Valentine sweetheart (or ladies, get one for yourself to ensure your chance to win!)

Music and Dancing

To round out our evening, we will feature the music of TRICK for your listening and dancing pleasure. This acoustic guitar and vocal duo features Minnesota musicians Todd Epley and Rick Blomquist, playing a wide range of music. Todd has twice been nominated for Best Vocalist of the Year, and Rick has been nominated four times for Best Guitar Player of the Year by the Minnesota Music Awards. This should be a fabulous way to end our evening of fun… so grab your girl and come out and dance! > Trick's website

Schedule

Cocktails & Silent Auction..................5:15 PM
Dinner.................................................7:00 PM
Games & Raffles.................................8:15 PM
Close of Silent Auction Bidding .........8:45 PM
Live Auction .......................................9:00 PM
Music & Dancing ............Throughout the Night

 

Mardi Gras has grown to become the single largest fundraising event for St. Stephen’s parish and school.  Proceeds go back into the general fund impacting virtually every ministry within the parish.  In past years, proceeds have also been utilized for special needs items including automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the church and school; new bleachers in the school gym; a new sound system for the school; a kiln for school art classes, new furniture for the parish office; as well as new furniture and toys for the new pre-school. These significant accomplishments cannot happen without YOU! So, grab your Aunt Sally, invite your neighbors, or get all the girls in your book club and reserve a table together, as Mardi Gras is a fun filled evening that you do not want to miss!