Good times rolled at Mardi Gras 2025!

FOJ’s biggest event of the year, offered great music, fun games, delicious food and fine auction items.

Friends of Jazz has some fun events but the best is the king of all major fundraisers, the party celebrating Fat Tuesday. This year’s Mardi Gras Ball was held March 9 at the Fullerton Elks Lodge and it was great.

More than one hundred guests had plenty to celebrate at this year’s Ball. And it was all for a good cause–keeping music in the schools.

And did they celebrate! There was plenty of dancing, parading, playing games, eating, drinking, bidding on auction items and just plain merriment.

At 5pm, doors opened for cocktail hour, and guests were greeted in the New Orleans Room by the Fullerton Quintet.  They were served delicious hors-d’oeuvres, given a drink ticket, beads, and a ticket for a free photo while the group entertained. They also got their first look at the array of 80 silent auction items beautifully displayed in numerous baskets, and they bought tickets for a drawing and for bottles of wine (which included a chance for dinner at the Summit House). 

Of course, what ball would not be complete without the appearance of the reigning 2024 king and queen, JIm & Donna Harlan. Then FOJ President Colleen introduced the newly chosen royal couple for 2025:  Paul & Amy Hinz. 

Following the coronation was an authentic, New Orleans-style Mardi Gras krewe parade, led by FOJ’s colorful dragon and Fullerton College’s Lemon Street Stompers. Guests paraded joyfully throughout the venue, complete with beads and twirling parasols, while Barbara Johnson sang and the krewe played “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

In the main ballroom, the Fullerton College Jazz Band, directed by Bruce Babad, provided some great entertainment for listening and dancing. A delicious dinner was served while the band played.

During and after dinner, the CSUF Jazz Orchestra, directed by Rodolfo Zuniga, provided some great entertainment for listening and dancing. A delicious dinner was served while the band played. Guests were given a program and a small book of sticky notes.

During and after dinner, CSUF soloists sang a few standards with the Fullerton Jazz Orchestra. And plenty of dancers were swinging and swaying to the music.

After collecting their auction items at the end of the evening, guests received a ballpoint pen and a key fob as remembrances of the event. It was a fun-filled evening that raised money to help keep music in the schools.

Many thanks to our volunteers:  Wendy & Caitlyn Pitts, Chris, Leah, Catherine, Bridget and Jack Arthur, Terry Stillman, Denis Wallace, Blake Maillet, Dottie Batinich and Judi Carolan. Kudos to our Board and Mardi Gras committee members, especially to Mardi Gras Directors Larry & Kitty Arthur, Colleen Wadsworth, FOJ President; Don Dyer, decor; Paul & Amy Hinz, Ellie Castillo, Kaaren Hathaway, her daughter Mary and granddaughter Sienna; Dianne Wallace, Jerry & Linda Wolf, Judi McDuff, Jeanie Stockwell, and the National Charity League.

Thanks so much to Chef Zee, Esteban and the staff at the Fullerton Elks Lodge.

Heartfelt thanks to you, our members, for helping to keep music in the schools by supporting this worthy annual event. Hope to see you at this year’s parties and events and next year’s Mardi Gras!