PAPER FACES ON PARADE

Jazzy Mardi Gras festivities ring up big bucks for society

If there's any event in Arkansas that's almost sure to provide sensory overload comparable to that provided by Mardi Gras, it's the Hot Springs Jazz Society's annual Mardi Gras Costume Ball & Contest. Especially when there's a guy who comes as a giant yeti, or abominable snowman. And another guy dressed as a giant bumblebee. Throw in a glitzed-out gladiator, a couple of fairies, and a few figures from centuries past, with a bit of steam­punk style thrown in. We won't even mention those court jesters ... well, yes, we will.

The third edition of the ball was held Feb. 7 in the second-floor ballroom of the Austin Convention Hotel & Spa in downtown Hot Springs. Zac Smith of the Itinerant Locals was master of ceremonies for a revelry- filled evening during which the Spa City Stompers kicked things off musically. Guests bid on silent-auction items; partook of purchased Louisiana cuisine and libations; pranced in a line behind Mardi Gras Queen Laura and King Brian Gehrki; and danced to music by Dizzy 7. In addition, attendees bought raffle tickets for a chance to win a 2-carat diamond ring valued at $4,000 from Stephens Jewelers and a case of Tito's Vodka and assorted wines and liquors worth more than $500.

Previous winners Beth and Richard Gipe once again took costume-contest honors -- honorable mention and men's second place awards, respectively -- as a king cake and accompanying baby. Other winners included Dorothy Morris, who took second place women's honors as Titania, the Queen of the "Mardi Gras" Fairies; Heather Buckley, whose Cleopatra costume earned her first place in the women's category; and Joe Hawk, who won first place in the men's category with a multicolored, elaborately embellished and feather-accented jester costume.

Proceeds are expected to gross $20,000, according to society executive director Gretchen Taylor.

High Profile on 02/15/2015

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