FRACKVILLE - The celebration of Mardi Gras returns to Frackville this year by a different community group and for a different fundraising effort.
The celebration of Mardi Gras will be held Feb. 15 at the Good Will Hose Company, 225 S. Balliet St., Frackville. The event is sponsored by the Frackville Fireworks Committee to raise funds for the annual fireworks display, which will be held at dusk June 29 at the baseball/softball complex on High Street.
The time for Mardi Gras, which means "Fat Tuesday" in French, is from 8 p.m. to midnight, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Music will be provided by DJ 1:01. Tickets are $20, which include beer, soda and snacks. Food and mixed drinks will be available for purchase. Attendees must be 21 and older.
Mayor Kim Phillips emailed an announcement to supporters Sunday, asking everyone for their support and to spread the word within their respective groups.
"This event is an attempt to raise funds to offset the price of the Frackville fireworks display," Phillips said. "This single event, the Frackville Fireworks Night,' costs close to $10,000. The fireworks committee has relied heavily on donations from civic groups and citizens to fund/host this event. Their Mardi Gras event is an attempt to raise more funds for the display, lightening the burden of relying on donations. The committee's effort also gives us in the community an event to attend and support to break up the long winter season."
The original Mardi Gras event was sponsored by the Frackville Business and Professional Association to raise funds for the library. The first event was in 2002, with the last in 2006.
When contacted, Phillips said she was thankful to everyone who has sponsored the fireworks and that borough organizations and individuals make Frackville "a great community."
"I am very excited to see a favorite community event come back to life," Phillips said. "For many years, the FBPA did an awesome job at raising funds for the Frackville library. It was a fun time for everyone who attended. I am excited to be a part of this community group of Frackville citizens and to see how hard they work to support, create and produce the evening of fireworks to celebrate our country and community."
Phillips said it is up to the attendees to decide on what to wear.
"Costumes are optional and encouraged, but not a requirement," she said. "The committee really wants to have everyone attend either way, casual dress or costume. I'm still sitting on the fence on whether or not I am going to dress in costume or not. I have some ideas, but I guess you will have to buy a ticket and find out for yourself."
She said that Mardi Gras will provide a way to deal with the winter blues. When the FBPA began the event, the two-fold reason was to raise money for the library and to have a fun social event in February.
"I cannot think of a prefect way to beat those long, cold, boring nights during the winter season than to support this worthy cause," Phillips said. "Music, fun, friends, neighbors and refreshments - who would not want to go?"
Tickets are available at the Frackville Free Public Library. For more information, call the library at 570-874-3382 or visit the Facebook page of Frackville Area Fireworks Committee.