Happy Friday, everybody! Today I have a little preview story of a fun event being hosted by Blue Mountain School this weekend. I had hoped to have a more in-depth piece, including an interview with the school’s new executive director Tammie Sarver, but our schedules didn’t quite align to make that possible. Today, Tammie was occupied with meal-prep for the Krewe de Bleu dinner I write about in the story! Pretty cool!
Saturday’s virtual Mardi Gras celebration also isn’t the only possibility for your Valentine’s Day weekend. I was building a list of special, Valentine’s-themed Floyd events happening in the next couple days. And then I realized Floyd County Tourism had already done that work for me. Check it out!
Whatever your plans for this weekend, I hope you get to enjoy it with someone you love. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
-Ashley
Blue Mountain School adjusts plans for annual Mardi Gras dinner
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Floyd folks can still let the good times roll this weekend, thanks to some creative planning by Blue Mountain School.
The progressive private school typically hosts an in-person fundraiser including food, music, dancing and costumes during Mardi Gras weekend. The event reflects the Carnival themes most often associated with New Orleans. Mardi Gras translates as “Fat Tuesday,” and precedes Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. During Lent, many Christians choose to fast during the day—so Mardi Gras represents a last opportunity for indulgence.
Last year, Blue Mountain School’s party was hosted at Dogtown Roadhouse in downtown Floyd. This year would have marked the school’s twelfth annual event.
However, public safety guidelines put in place during the pandemic have made many of the beloved Mardi Gras festivities trickier to execute. For example, the school would normally offer a “Krewe de Bleu” dinner featuring dishes native to Louisiana. This year, the feast is being offered curbside instead. The menu includes jambalaya, grits with beef and tomato gravy, and a Mardi Gras favorite, king cake!
According to the school, the meal is being sourced almost entirely from local vendors and farmers. The menu was created by chef Elias Sarver-Wolf, of Local Roots and Tabula Rasa in Blacksburg. Saturday’s dinner will be prepared with grits from Gracious Day Grains, greens from Riverstone Farm, produce from Glade Road Growers and baguettes from Grateful Bread. Executive Director Tammie Sarver said Field’s Edge Farm, Indigo Farms Seafood and the Floyd EcoVillage also helped to make the dinner possible.
The dinner is already sold out. However, members of the public can still tune in for the rest of the evening’s celebration, including live music and a costume contest. Those who missed the boat on purchasing tickets for the Krewe de Bleu meal can also still donate to the school on its website.
In lieu of an in-person performance to accompany the dinner, music will be livestreamed on the Floyd Music School Facebook page from 7-8:30 p.m. tomorrow, and diners can watch from home. Jenny Brooke and Mike Mitchell will perform jazz standards, classical favorites and folk songs throughout the night. Brooke and Mitchell have taught at the Floyd Music School for more than 14 years, with many students coming from the Blue Mountain School.
Floyd PFLAG will also conduct its annual costume content virtually this year. Participants are encouraged to don their fancy garb and send photos to contact@bluemountainschool.net no later than Saturday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. to be entered in this year’s contest. Prizes will be awarded for Best Overall, Best Rainbow, Best Accessories and Best Family at the end of the music livestream.