For the first time since 2020, people will be able to celebrate Mardi Gras and support the Powell Medical Foundation at an in-person event.

It’s fitting that the dinner, music, live and silent auctions starting at 6 p.m. Saturday come as the foundation celebrates 40 years in existence.

The event will be at the Park County Fairgrounds with dinner catered by Cajun Phatty’s and includes shrimp, grits and sausage; jambalaya; potatoes, corn and sausage (a crawfish boil without the crawfish); and the Billing’s caterer’s famous fried biscuits. K-Bar will also run full bar service, including a special Mardi Gras cocktail.

The cost is $45 and the event supports Powell Valley Healthcare. The foundation has been a big supporter of projects at the hospital, including having recently made an expanded outside area at the senior living center. Foundation director Amy Wells, putting on her first Mardi Gras event and planning on adding more color to the traditional event, said a future project that foundation money could go toward is in finishing the upstairs of the clinic on campus to expand the clinical space available.

Wells’ goal is to raise $30,000, which would be a new record for the event but not outside the realm of possibility, as she said last week ticket sales had already exceeded $10,000. The event has also received major sponsorships, including the top sponsor from Club Dauntless, second tier from Billings Clinics, and major sponsorships as well from Stillwater Hospice, Mobility Plus, Guardian Flight and Absaroka Health Management.

“Everybody has been super generous,” Wells said.

The live — handled by Swenson’s — and silent auctions are filled with donated trips, including such locales as Mexico and Caribbean islands, bundles of beef and pork, guns, nice liquor and artwork.

There will be multiple raffles as well, and an award for whoever finds the surprise “baby” hidden in the King Cake, a classic Mardi Gras tradition.

There will even be live music provided by the Northwest faculty quartet.

“Obviously Mardi Gras is a ton of fun, there’s nothing else like it around here,” she said. “It’s a big, fun event and we’re raising money for the hospital.”

To purchase tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and auction info, text “PVHC” to 53-555 or visit givebutter.com/3kosjV.