10 Apr 2017 CARTI Cajun Bash planned for April 20

Ticket sales are under way for the 13th Annual CARTI Ragin’ Cajun Bash, an authentic bayou-themed fundraiser presented by IBERIABANK and benefiting CARTI, scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

“Expectations and excitement are high this year for what we are calling our ‘Million Dollar Crawfish Boil,’” said Sabrina Frazier, associate major gifts officer for the CARTI Foundation.

Since its debut in 2005, the CARTI Ragin’ Cajun Bash has collectively raised more than $960,000 on behalf of CARTI and the cancer patients of Arkansas.

“This year should push the event well beyond the million dollar mark,” said Frazier. “We are genuinely looking forward to bringing the bayou back to Little Rock and letting the good times roll again at the CARTI Ragin’ Cajun Bash.”

The event features an authentic, down home crawfish boil with all the trimmings, complete with food, fun and dancing to live music by Drummerboy Infinity.

“It’s a cool, casual event designed to give people a little taste of Cajun country,” said Frazier.  “Even if you don’t care for crawfish, Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits will be on hand serving Cajun fried chicken. We’ll also have gumbo, Zatarain’s red beans and rice, and a refreshing beverage station sponsored by Central Distributors and featuring Frio and Frio Light."

Last year, the CARTI Ragin’ Cajun Bash served more than 6,000 pounds of crawfish to a crowd of more than 1,700 people, raising a single-year, record-setting amount of more than $140,000 to benefit CARTI cancer patients and programs.

General admission tickets for the event are $45 each in advance or $55 each at the door.  Reserved tables with personal wait staff for 10 guests are $750 each and subject to limited availability. Tickets are available at CARTI.com or by calling the CARTI Foundation at 501.296.3406.

“We are also very excited to partner this year with Chef Shuttle to offer home delivery to those who are unable to attend the event but who want to sample the Cajun cuisine while also showing their support of CARTI cancer patients,” said Frazier.

Chef Shuttle will offer a special Ragin’ Cajun crawfish platter consisting of three pounds of crawfish, one side of red beans and rice, two potatoes and one half ear of corn priced at $35 each.  Customers also have the option of adding an extra pound of crawfish to the platter for $10 or two additional pounds for $15.

“We appreciate our friends at Chef Shuttle for helping us expand the audience of supporters whose purchases will directly impact CARTI cancer patients,” said Frazier. “Thanks to Chef Shuttle, CARTI can let the good times roll over the city on April 20.”

Orders via Chef Shuttle are subject to limited availability, and pre-orders are encouraged. Pre-orders will be accepted through Tuesday, April 18, at ChefShuttle.com or by phone at 501.712.8700. Food delivery will be made between 6 and 9 p.m. on April 20.

All proceeds from the CARTI Ragin’ Cajun Bash directly benefit CARTI and the cancer patients of Arkansas. Funds raised through Ragin’ Cajun help to provide such patient resources and services as transportation, housing, prescription assistance, emotional and/or grief counseling, nutritional counseling, massage therapy, educational support programs and weekend retreats for cancer survivors and caregivers. Proceeds also fund ongoing offerings at the CARTI Patient Resource Center in Little Rock.

CARTI is a not-for-profit, multi-disciplinary cancer care provider offering medical and surgical oncology, diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology at locations throughout the state to provide convenient access for cancer patients. Chemotherapy is offered in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, Clinton, Conway, El Dorado, Heber Springs, Russellville and Stuttgart. Radiation therapy is offered in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Mountain Home and Searcy.