Loose Leaf Notes

~ The following was published in the Floyd Press on March 10, 2011.

Decked out in glitter, beads and feathers, about 250 people celebrated the second annual Mardi Gras Ball at the Dogtown Roadhouse/Sun Music Hall Saturday night. The Ball was a fundraiser to benefit Blue Mountain School, Floyd’s independent school off Christiansburg Pike, soon to mark the 30^th anniversary of its founding.

Seating tickets for the ball were sold out more than a week before the event, which featured high energy dancing to live music, a series of costume contests, and a live auction of donated items called by auctioneer Tom O’Neill.   Emily Williamson’s original Mardi Gras poster sold for the highest bid and a CSA produce half share from Waterbear Organic Mountain Farm got the most bids of the evening.

Spoon Fight, a band made up of Blue Mountain School alumni, Isaac Wright, Jake Thomas and Luke Thomas, drew a following of young music lovers and dancers. Other featured musical entertainment was provided by Wild Life, and the Floyd Funkstars.   A Cajun menu was prepared by the Dogtown Roadhouse crew.

Last year’s Mardi Gras King and Queen, Tom Ryan and Pat Sharkey, passed on their crowns to Luke Staengl and Ellen Wright.  Staengl is a Blue Mountain School founder, a current board member and a long time supporter of school.  Wright, who manages Floyd Fitness Center, sold the most tickets to the event.

“It was a good turnout for a rainy night,” said event organizer and Blue Mountain School teacher Jamie Reygle.  “Everybody loved it. I’ve got nothing but positive feedback.” Reygle, who is already thinking about next year’s show, estimated that ticket sales and auction items raised between $3,000 and $3,500 for the school.  ~ Colleen Redman

Note: Girl’s costume contest in which each contestant performed a short dance to the Floyd Funkstars is HERE. More photos HERE.