9th Annual Mardi Gras For A Cause: Musical Festival to Benefit Children In Need

By Lourice Angie

The 9th Annual Mardi Gras for A Cause event is set to take place on Sun., June 13 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at the Blue Arrow Farm, located at 86 Glenwood Rd. in Pine Island. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event could not be held in the Village of Warwick with local musicians performing at participating bars and restaurants as it is traditionally held on “Fat Tuesday,” which is the day before Ash Wednesday.

Instead, the Mardi Gras for A Cause planning committee will hold a live musical festival hosted by Blue Arrow Farm. The committee hopes to raise funds for the Backpack Snack Attack Program, which helps feed nearly 300 school children each week and on weekends throughout the year.

“We are so grateful to be able to hold the Mardi Gras for a Cause event this year at Blue Arrow Farm. Due to the pandemic, we were unable to host the event in the Village of Warwick in February which was very disappointing, but now we have an unbelievable day planned at an outstanding venue in support of Backpack Snack Attack,” said event organizer John Desibia.

The highly anticipated music jamboree will be a fun-filled day for everyone with family-friendly activities that will include: craft vendors, train rides, a magic forest and farm animal sanctuary, a pirate ship, a butterfly garden and an apiary demonstration.

Live Music Schedule

The following performances will take place on the main stage: Emish, 12 noon to 1:15 p.m.; OCS, 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.; Dark Horses, 3 to 4:15 p.m.; and Uncle Shoehorn, 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. There is a $5 admission fee that helps support Blue Arrow Farm’s animal rescue efforts. For more information send an email to John Desibia jedesibia4@gmail.com.

Photo_Mardi-Gras-For-A-Cause-p-1-300x225 9th Annual Mardi Gras For A Cause: Musical Festival to Benefit Children In Need — Photo by Lourice Angie

Members of the Mardi Gras For Cause committee met with the owners of Blue Arrow Farm to help organize the 9th Annual musical event that will benefit the Backpack Snack Attack program. Pictured (from left) are: Mardi Gras for a Cause planning committee members – Mary Schweitzer & Jennifer Price, Blue Arrow Farm manager Kathy Olinger, owner Don Oriolo & his dog Penny Lane, event organizer John Desibia & Blue Arrow staff & committee member Tina Bohen Guerrera.