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Twin Cedars will host its annual Twelfth Night Mingle on Friday night to support this year’s candidates for King and Queen of Mask. 

The event marks the unofficial start of the Mardi Gras season and allows the candidates to introduce themselves and campaign for votes as everyone enjoys a fun night with friends and family.

The celebration will be held at the Cochran Gallery on Lafayette Square in LaGrange from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, which can be designated as votes towards your favorite candidate and go to a great cause. The entry fee includes two drink tickets and light charcuterie. Attendees must be 21 or older.

This year’s king candidates include Brent Hester, Logan Burns, Evan Kirby, Jeremy Dockins, Mitchell Turnham and P.T. Alford. 

Queen candidates include Keri Drake, Traci Nixon, Ameia Cotton Williams, Tasha Hubbard-Davenport, Sarah Beth Childress, Kristina Moore, Nikki Franklin, Symone Brown and Kerri Hensarling.

“Funds from the annual fundraiser go to support the families that Twin Cedars serves during their most vulnerable times,” said Kim Rozycki, Director of Development and Marketing for Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services.

The money is used to help programs in our community, including the Bradfield Center,  Connections, Children’s Advocacy Center of Troup County, Safe Families for Children, Partners In Prevention, Circle of Care and Therapeutic Foster Care.

“The reason it’s important is because this is our one major fundraiser in LaGrange to support all these programs. The money is divided among the different programs,” Rozycki said.

The Behind the Mask fundraiser has typically raised funds in the $125,000 range in recent years. This year, they are setting a bigger goal.

“We’ve set a goal this year for $150,000, and we think we can meet that if everybody will just come out and support us. Even if you can’t come to the event, you can still support the candidates, which helps with the fundraiser, by voting,” Rozycki said.

Votes for candidates are done by their fundraising efforts. You vote with your dollars because $1 equals one vote. 

“Supporters can just go online and vote for their favorite candidate, and that contributes to the fundraiser, even if they’re not able to come,” Rozycki said.

The Twelfth Night Mingle will be held on Jan. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Cochran Gallery at 4 E. Lafayette Square in LaGrange. The Behind the Mask Mardi Gras ball is set for Feb. 1.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door.