The 33rd annual Good Shepherd Parish Mardi Gras fundraiser was viewed as a great success with the largest crowd ever in attendance to enjoy the festivities at the event held last month at Monterey Station in Cowan.

Proceeds benefit the Middle Tennessee Honor Flight sending veterans on an all-expense-paid trip to visit their war memorial in Washington, D.C., the Good Samaritan Ministries of Franklin County as well as the Linda Bauman Memorial Scholarship and the Good Shepherd Parish and its ministries.

The Linda Bauman Memorial Scholarship is awarded to deserving high school seniors residing in Franklin County and pursuing a degree in the medical profession. To date, 13 scholarships have been awarded.

The fundraiser featured a festive venue transformed into a Mardi Gras spirit. As guests entered, they were able to enjoy visiting with new and old friends while enjoying the cash bar, food and decadent desserts.

Guests also enjoyed perusing the silent-auction area which was a huge success with items donated by local and regional businesses, local crafts people and parishioners.

This year, guests were able to bid on a week’s stay at a beautiful Jekyll Island home, two Jack Daniel’s barrels signed by Master Distiller Chris Fletcher, four tickets to Dollywood, a night’s stay at the Sewanee Inn and a round of golf at The Course at Sewanee as well as more than 80 other wonderful items.

The evening continued with the band Entice from Nashville as they kept the music flowing and the dance floor crowded with guests.

 Plans for next year’s Good Shepherd Parish Mardi Gras fundraiser are already underway.

For additional information on this event, call Barbara Lamb-Gass at 931-607-5644, Kelly Doyle at 931-308-0005 or Theresa Kelley at 931-636-7690.