Mardi Gras

Join us for a night of fun and fundraising!

Join us on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds for an unforgettable night filled with cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, gaming, dancing and the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras — all in support of Catholic education in Ukiah.

For more than five decades, Mardi Gras has been St. Mary of the Angels Catholic School’s signature fundraising event. It’s a beloved tradition that brings together our families, alumni and local businesses for a fun evening of community celebration and giving.

This year’s Mardi Gras promises an unforgettable experience with cocktails, a gourmet dinner brought to you by Garbocci Gourmet Catering, one-of-a-kind silent and live auctions, casino-style gaming, no-host bar and live music by Northern California’s Premier Dance Band The Funky Dozen!

Tom Allman, retired Mendocino County Sheriff, and Roberta Gonsalez, CEO of ROGOPRO and KTVU FOX2 Meteorologist will be emceeing the evening’s events, which start at 5 p.m. at Carl Purdy Hall at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds.

Please join us at this year’s event inspired by the warmth and elegance of Latin culture. The event will feature Spanish-style cuisine and décor, creating a vibrant yet refined atmosphere. Tables of 8 or individual tickets are available for purchase online.

Purchase Tickets Here

Donate an Item

Become a Sponsor

Event Details

📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
📍 Redwood Empire Fairgrounds – Ukiah, CA
🎟️ Tickets on sale now!

Event Timeline

Registration & Cocktail Hour: 5:00 p.m.
Silent Auction: Starts at 5:00 and ends 30 minutes after the live auction ends.
Dinner: 6:15 p.m.
Live Auction: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Gaming: opens after the live auction ends
Dance: 8:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

New for 2026: we’re moving our beloved St. Mary’s Family Carnival to campus this spring! Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 16th — it’s going to be bigger, more fun, and better than ever, and we can’t wait to host you on campus soon! Stay tuned — more details and updates are coming in March.

Event Purpose

Every dollar raised through Mardi Gras directly supports the students of St. Mary’s School. Money raised supports tuition assistance, classroom resources, and enrichment programs like music, Spanish, gardening and technology. Your participation helps ensure our children receive an exceptional education rooted in faith, service and academic excellence.

Raffle Ticket Fundraiser

If you can’t make it to Mardi Gras this year, you can still be part of the tradition — and make a direct impact on St. Mary’s students by purchasing raffle tickets. You do not need to be present to win.

NEW for 2026: Winners will be drawn Monday, February 23rd during morning assembly at school.

Dream Vacation Raffle Ticket

Dreaming of your next getaway? Our Dream Vacation Raffle is your chance to win a $3,000 travel voucher PLUS $1,000 cash! Whether you’re craving beaches, snow, or city lights, you can choose your destination! Tickets are $20 each. Thank you to Adventist Health for sponsoring our vacation package.

White Raffle Tickets

Enter for a chance to bring home one of three incredible prizes: Canvas TV, Apple Watch Series 11 or a Nugget Ice Maker. Tickets are just $1 each. Thank you to our white raffle ticket sponsors, Rinehart Oil and Dave & Allyne Brown. White raffle prizes provided by the Hanna Family, Ukiah Paper Supply and LC Home Team.

Purchase Raffle Tickets

Live Music by The Funky Dozen

The Funky Dozen blends fun and funk to keep people on the dance floor all night long. The band focuses primarily on favorites from the 1970s but also pulls the best from the 80s, 90s, and latest hits to provide high-energy music people want to move to. Dance-only tickets are available for purchase online or at the door.

Meet Our Mardi Gras Emcees: Tom Allman & Roberta Gonzales

We are thrilled to announce that the dynamic duo lighting up our Mardi Gras event is none other than the remarkable Tom Allman and the esteemed Roberta Gonzales! With their unparalleled talents and community spirit, they are set to make this night unforgettable. Join us as Tom and Roberta guide us through a night of celebration, community and fundraising at the Mardi Gras event

Auctioneer Tom Allman has assisted over 75 nonprofits throughout Mendocino and Humboldt Counties with his auctioneering skills. As the former Sheriff of Mendocino County, he has combined his community awareness knowledge with his auctioneering. A graduate of the World-Wide School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa, he has helped raise over 3.5 million dollars for local non-profits over the past 15 years. Tom was a law enforcement officer for 35+ years and resides in Willits.

Roberta Gonzales, former Weather Anchor for CBS 5 Eyewitness News, embarked on a new journey after 23 years with the network, establishing Roberta Gonzales Productions. Her company focuses on crafting high-quality commercials for clients across digital platforms, television, and radio. Additionally, Roberta is a Meteorologist at KTVU FOX 2. A California native, Gonzales boasts an impressive accolade collection, including seven Emmy Awards, eighteen Associated Press Awards for “Best Weathercaster,” and four American Women in Radio and Television Best Weathercaster Awards.

FAQs

Why does St. Mary’s host this event?

Started in 1969, Mardi Gras continues to be the primary source of funding for St. Mary’s School. The money raised has an immediate impact on the students. It makes capital improvement projects possible, allows for modernization of the campus and provides scholarships to ensure that a St. Mary’s education is accessible to all. With your support, St. Mary’s school continues to maintain its high standards of excellence!

How do I purchase tickets?

Tickets can be purchased online, or in person, by request. Please call the school at (707) 462-3888 if you can’t purchase tickets online.

How much do tickets cost?

Reserved Tables of 8 are $850 and Individual Tickets are $100. Purchase tickets here.

What does my ticket include?

If you purchase a table of 8, your table will be reserved just for your guests and will include a sponsorship sign as well as a bottle of red and white wine.

Bonus perks (while they last): The first 20 tables sold will receive a complimentary bottle of champagne and Match Play for gaming — buy $100 in chips (1,000 chips) and we’ll match it with another 1,000 chips on us!

An individual ticket is for the entire fun-filled evening with open seating during dinner.

Will this event sell out?

Yes! The venue has a limited capacity, so we encourage you to purchase your tickets as soon as possible.

What will be available to bid on at the event?

Both the Live and Silent Auctions will feature swoon-worthy items like once in a lifetime trips, special experiences, award winning wines and hand crafted items.

For a live auction preview, please follow us on social media. Auction lots will continue to be added up until the event so check back often!

We encourage you to pre-register as a bidder for the auctions. To pre-register, click here.

What is the Fund-a-Need Auction?

This year, we are dedicating our Fund-a-Need initiative our Legacy of Learning Fund. This strategic move is more than a fundraising effort; it’s an investment in the future of our students and our school.

The Legacy of Learning Fund is a visionary project designed to ensure the long-term financial health of our school. It aims to provide sustainable support via tuition assistance, enabling us to continue offering high-quality education and opening doors for talented students facing financial barriers. Your contributions to the fund-a-need initiative will directly impact these goals, making a profound difference in the lives of our current and future students.

Is there a raffle?

Yes! Each year we curate a fantastic selection of items that appeal to everyone, and this year is no different. Our Dream Vacation Raffle Ticket gives you the chance to win a $3000 travel voucher along with $1,000 cash! To learn more about the raffle and purchase a ticket, click here.

Thank you to Adventist Health for sponsoring the vacation package.

Our White Raffle Tickets gives you the chance to win a Canvas TV, Apple Watch Series 11 or a Nugget Ice Maker. To learn more about the raffle and purchase a ticket, click here.

Thank you to our white raffle ticket sponsors, Rinehart Oil and Dave & Allyne Brown. White raffle prizes provided by the Hanna Family, Ukiah Paper Supply and LC Home Team.

Can I bring my kids?

Saturday’s Mardi Gras Gala is an event only for adults age 21 and older. St. Mary’s Family Carnival, held in the spring, is a fun-filled day for children and families. Mark your calendars for our St. Mary’s Family Carnival on Saturday, May 16th — it’s going to be bigger, more fun, and better than ever, and we can’t wait to host you on campus soon! Stay tuned — more details and updates are coming in March.

What do I wear?

Dress to impress and embrace the festive spirit of Mardi Gras at our Mardi Gras fundraiser! We welcome a range of attire, from cocktail dresses and sharp suits to stylish casual wear.

Can I purchase tickets just for the dance?

Yes, you can purchase dance-only tickets online or at the door starting at 8:30 p.m.

What if I can’t attend the event but still want to support?

We are incredibly grateful to the community members and businesses who want to support Mardi Gras and St. Mary’s School. If you’d like to make a donation, you can do so here. If you’re interested in sponsoring the event or donating an item for the auction, please contact us at mardigras@smsukiah.org or fill out our online auction donation form.

What if I have more questions?