Medi Gras organizers call for King and Queen nominees

Queen nominee Shari Crowe, at left, and king nominee Dr. Matthew Hunt get support from Madison Hospital president Mary Lynne Wright. (CONTRIBUTED)

D. J. Klein, Rotary Club of Madison nominee (CONTRIBUTED)

Warren Munster, Madison Street Festival nominee (CONTRIBUTED)

Rosalie Holcombe, Madison Street Festival nominee (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – This year’s Medi Gras Bash will have a royal touch.

Bash organizers are accepting nominations for King and Queen for the event, Madison Hospital’s premier fundraiser. In its third year, Media Gras will be held at the Jackson Center at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Cummings Research Park on Feb. 28.

“New this year, we’ll be crowning a Medi Gras King and Queen, complete with a Second Line Parade to celebrate the new royals and their court. Audience participation required,” publicist Debbie Overcash said.

To-date, the nominees include Rosalie Holcombe and Warren Munster by the Madison Street Festival; D. J. Klein and Dr. Emily McIntosh, Rotary Club of Madison; and Shari Crowe and Dr. Matthew Hunt, Madison Hospital.

Organizations and civic groups can nominate a member to vie for the King or Queen’s crown. “Participants are asked to collect donations for this year’s fundraising goals,” Overcash said. “The top money raisers will be crowned King and Queen at the bash.”

To register nominees, visit medigrasbash.org and click “King and Queen Registration.”

The Medi Gras King and Queen will receive personalized bricks in the Madison Hospital Healing Garden, $100 value; crowns; and a commemorative hurricane glass. Nominees who raise $500 will receive two bash tickets, $150 value. For $1,000, nominees will earn four bash tickets and special recognition at the event.

The bash’s entertainment, organized by chairperson Jeanne Steadman, will feature Metropolitan DJ for music and lighting. Caricature artist Fred Sayers with Artwork & Stuff will delight guests.

Rocket City Jugglers Association will wheel in mystifying jugglers and an unicyclist, Steadman said. For “Art for a Cause,” guests will wear surgical gowns and complete two original paintings.

All 2014 proceeds will help to purchase the LUCAS compression system for the emergency department and MyoSure for surgery at Madison Hospital.

“We’re a great community with our shared sense of pride and commitment to one another,” Overcash said. “We hope you’ll team with us in supporting Madison Hospital.”

For tickets, visit medigrasbash.org or call 256-265-8077.