Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler Bacchus Ball Celebration Set for Feb. 2, 2008

Jackson– Creole cocktail buffet, silent auctions, black-tie soirée, music to dance the night away, and Mardi Gras décor are only a few beads on the long and stunning necklace that is the Bacchus Ball.

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM) proudly presents its 24th-annual Bacchus Ball on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Country Club of Jackson.  The party, which begins at 7 p.m. and ends at midnight, will feature unique Creole cocktail buffet as well as the musical talents of 14 Karat Gold, an authentic Motown, soul and R&B band.

“Mark your calendars and put on your dancing shoes, because the Bacchus Ball is guaranteed to be not only the hottest social event of the season but also an evening of irresistible fun, amazing food and great dancing,” said DFM Executive Vice President Mary Fortune. “More importantly, though, all of the Bacchus Ball’s proceeds benefit the DFM’s diabetes education, programs for children and adults, patient services and more.”

The biggest Mardi Gras party this side of New Orleans, the Bacchus Ball will also feature a live auction, which begins at 9 p.m.  Items to be auctioned include a Viking wine cooler; one-of-a-kind furniture from Reaves’ Oriental Rugs & Antiques; an LCD Sony Bravia TV from Cowboy Maloney’s; fine jewelry from Lee Michael’s; a fabulous vacation package with airfare to the Fairmont Hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and handcrafted artwork by such Mississippi artists as Lucy Mazzaferro, Lynn Isonhood, Bewey Bowden, Mike Box, Greg Cartmell, Gerald Deloach, Bill Dunlap, Diane Harris, Will Hinds, Lisa Paris and Yvette Sturgis.

“We have all the ingredients for another successful Bacchus Ball– all we need is you!” Fortune said.

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM) is the state’s only nonprofit health organization that provides diabetes research, information, patient services and advocacy, and its mission is to provide hope through research, programs and service to the 346,500 Mississippians with diabetes. Every dollar raised by the DFM stays in the state to support these efforts. In addition, 90 cents of every dollar raised goes towards the organization’s charitable purposes. The DFM is the one diabetes organization totally dedicated to all Mississippians– from children to seniors– who live with diabetes.

Seats are limited.  The last day to reserve seating for the event is January 30. For information about ticket purchases, sponsorships and reserved seating, call 1-877-DFM-CURE or locally at 1-601-957-7878, or visit the DFM online at www.msdiabetes.org.