Scroll to the bottom of this page to view the amazing auction items for Mardi Gras 2023!

• Friday, February 24th, 2023   6 p.m.- 11:59 p.m.
• Lake Elmo Event Center,  3712 Layton Ave. N., Lake Elmo, MN
• Ticket Prices:
  • $80/person thru 2/20
  • $95/person 2/21- at door (if available)
• This event is for individuals 21 years and older.
• Typical Friday night attire. Bring your authentic Mardi Gras mask if you are inspired!

Youth Advantage is excited to have Stillwater's very own, Wayne Petersen, Director of Community Relations and Hockey Partnerships  for  the  Minnesota  Wild,   as  its  Emcee  for Mardi Gras 2023. 

Wayne knows he has big shoes to fill with Lee Valsvik as the long-time Emcee of the event, but he is willing to cover for her since she will be skiing in Colorado with her fantasy football friends.

Wayne and his wife, Kelly, have been supporters of Youth Advantage since its early days and is excited to work with Miss Shannan to share Youth Advantage's story with the guests!

Meal includes a Mardi Gras salad, main course, and dessert.

Please select one of the following main course options per guest:

Option #1: Jambalaya- (gluten-free)

Made with chicken, sausage, and shrimp; served with red beans and rice

Option #2: Top Sirloin (gluten-free)

Served with Cajun butter. Includes rosemary roasted baby red potatoes and green beans amandine

Option #3: Stuffed Spaghetti Squash (vegetarian and gluten-free)

Stuffed with Minnesota wild rice, dried cranberries, green onions, mushrooms, almonds, and Boursin cheese

Miss Shannan was named "Best Stand-up Comedian" by City Pages Magazine in their "2020 Best of the Twin Cities." Campus Activities Magazine® included her as one of eight Top Speaker Picks for 2015. Miss Shannan is a regular guest on TV talk shows speaking on diversity and pop culture. She started her professional career working for Fortune 100 companies including Wells Fargo Bank and Bank of America. Since her cubicle days, Miss Shannan has moved on to become a radio and television host, speaker, benefit auctioneer, and a proud former player of the Women’s Professional Football League.

In addition, she is a touring stand-up comedian who has performed for a wide range of audiences. She works as the “Diversity and Community Relations Director” for the Twin Cities Film Fest. She continues to host numerous corporate and charity events. Plus, she is an active board member for the Pacer Center, an organization that expands opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities and a board member for the Autism Society of Minnesota.

Follow Miss Shannan on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.  Plus, learn more on her website www.missshannan.com

The Michael Handler Project is an inventive acoustic group with notable originals and novel twists on covers. It can be seen in many shapes. Solo, Duo or Trio with a mix of talented artists sharing the stage with Michael in the latter. The guitar and vocals, backed up by a mix of hand drums and/or banjo create a new sound for today's music scene.

Since 2004, The Michael Handler Project has inspired audiences to sit up, listen, and sing along with their crowd-pleasing pop-rock tunes and personable stage presence.

Follow The Michael Handler Project at home (michaelhandler.com), (20+) The Michael Handler Project | Facebook, or Michael Handler (@handlermichael) • Instagram photos and videos.

PARtake in a variety of golf for four in the Valley! Grab your clubs for a round of golf, golf cart included, at 3 of the areas fantastic courses: **The Royal Club in Lake Elmo, designed by Annika Sörenstam and Arnold Palmer. **Indian Hills Golf Club, considered one of the top private golf courses in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. **Stillwater Country Club, overlooking the scenic St. Croix River Valley. Take a swing at this package and enjoy three unique golf experiences with this incredible golf adventure!

Donated by the respective courses through member requests.

Enjoy an afternoon or evening tour for 8 people on the St. Croix River aboard the "Ann Sea". Join Jon and Ann Whitcomb on their 42' Sea Ray for a cruise on the river enjoying the beautiful views and great music on a fun summertime event. The tour will include everything for 8-10 friends, heavy appetizers and drinks of your choice. The cruise departs out of Sunnyside Marina. Cruise will need to occur before October 1, 2023 and the date should be confirmed by May 1, 2023 so all parties have time to work through a schedule. Labor Day Weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, and June 30 - July 4 are excluded.

Donated by Jon & Ann Whitcomb

Complete Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. Sletten in Stillwater! Choose braces or clear aligners. This package is good for new orthodontic treatment plan and is available for an adult or child. Get an award-winning smile with amazing customer service from the Sletten Team! Dr. Sletten has been treating patients and supporting the local community for over 20 years! We look forward to treating you or a family member! Must be redeemed by 12/31/2023.

The ultimate Wild experience includes 4 Minnesota Wild Lower Level (Section 116, Row 25, Seats 1-4) tickets and parking pass for the 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2023 game against the Golden Knights (value $592). Included in this package is the VIP experience at the game with access to the exclusive On The Glass Club. Located on the event level of Xcel Energy Center, this all-inclusive experience includes complimentary food, beer, wine and soda with a full cash bar available. We also have a stick signed by Kirill Kaprizov (Certificate of Authentication included) to add to the package! VIP passes and signed stick are donated by Minnesota Wild.

Donated by Thomas Grace Construction Services and Minnesota Wild

Larsmont-If you have never stayed in a Larsmont Cottage, you are missing out! Here is your chance to experience a relaxing or adventurous weekend at Larsmont Cottages! These North Shore cottages are tucked away in 40 acres of private woods, south of Two Harbors, MN, with 1,300 feet of Lake Superior beachfront shoreline. Enjoy 3 days and 2 nights in a 3 bedroom cottage perfect for a family or girlfriends getaway (sleeps 6-8 people) the weekend of April 14-16, 2023. A bottle of wine and a $50 gift card to the onsite gourmet restaurant, The Ledge Rock Grille, is also included with this item.

Donated by Bill & Glenda Bjorum

Enjoy a Staycation weekend in the lovely St. Croix Valley. Your vacation begins with a two-night stay at the lovely Harriet Carriage House. This Airbnb apartment is stylish and centrally located at just under a mile from downtown Stillwater. Additionally, your Staycation package will help you build a two-day Stillwater extravaganza and deliver jam-packed fun with 5 gift cards to local restaurants, a gift card to cover 2 days’ worth of gourmet coffee, 2 different wellness experiences, Axe throwing for 2 and a 2-person bike rental! Experience Stillwater like a pampered tourist!