Addie Belcher plays peek-a-boo behind a diamond ring valued at $2,500, which will go home with a lucky ticket holder from Friday evening’s Mardi Gras in October. STAFF PHOTO BY MURRAY JUDSON Only a few tickets remain for Mardi Gras in October, and only a few hours remain until the event kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, in the Civic Center, 710 W. Ave. A.

Mardi Gras in October is the year’s major fundraising event for the Port Aransas Education Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to improve education in the Port Aransas ISD by providing materials, equipment and training.

This year, backers hope to exceed even last year’s record-setting $60,000 in grants.

For a $35 ticket, you can get a Cajun dinner, drinks, live auction, silent auction, reverse drawing ticket and live music by a group led by Port Aransas performer Cody Angel. A limited number of tickets were printed; they’re being sold at the Family Center IGA, 418 S. Alister St.

Buying one of only 25 tickets priced at $100 may also let you take home a diamond ring valued at $2,500.

The 31 tables, two more than last year, have already been sponsored, a foundation spokesperson said.

For those with young children, Port Aransas High School cheerleaders will provide babysitting at the high school from 6:30-11 p.m. The babysitting, which includes pizza for the youngsters, is available for the price of a donation to the foundation, and children can be of any age, cheerleaders said – just bring them to the high school gym.

Money raised is used to improve education in the Port Aransas ISD, with grants ranging from reading workshop attendance ($300) to half a dozen iPads, the “in” electronic device among teens, useful for research, creating reports and doing homework ($3,594).

The Port Aransas Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Unrestricted gifts, donations and endowments are tax-deductible. The foundation also raised money during the summer with tours of the Susan Castor Beach House, where $4 of every $5 of the admissions went to the foundation.

The foundation’s motto is, “Watch your investment grow.” That investment can begin at Mardi Gras.