To celebrate the upcoming Lenten season, Newtown United Methodist Church (NUMC) hosted its first “Methodist Mardis Gras” talent show on Saturday, February 23.

Of the 50 people attending, around 15 performed during the event, which ran from 6:30 until 9 pm. There was an array of vocal acts, guitarists, a bagpiper, a poet, a family skit troupe, a trumpet player, and two stand-up comedians.

After the talent show portion of the program, bead-bedecked attendees enjoyed fellowship and traditional Mardis Gras king cake — shipped directly from New Orleans — served in Rauner Hall.

Admission was free, but Pastor Lori Miller and NUMC event organizers gladly accepted donations at the door of nonperishable food items for FAITH Food Pantry. The church Narthex held ten full grocery bags of food by evening’s end.