“Mardi Gras on the Kaw” will bring the tastes, sights and sounds of Cajun culture to the Kansas River for an evening of costumes and festivities.

In the spirit of Fat Tuesday, guests will be presented with a mix of food, wine tasting, and live music with funds benefiting Independence Inc.

The carnival kicks off the first fund-raiser for the independent living center, which has served people with disabilities in the Douglas County area since 1978.

“We want this to get us off the ground and be something that people really love,” said Jill Enyart, event planner and independent living counselor for Independence, Inc. “It’s a chance for us to keep our services available in the community.”

Independence Inc. lost $350,000 in government funds last year and was forced to lay off a quarter of its staff due to the state budget crisis. Nonprofit agencies across the state are having difficulty coping with less staff and resources.

For Enyart, who has never planned a fund-raiser, this has been a learning process.

“We’re down to a skeletal staff,” she said. “This is one of those situations where we have to help ourselves.”

Kendall Simmons, coordinator of Independence Inc.’s Computer Learning Center, said the organization was hoping to sell 300 tickets and raise about $10,000 to help offset its financial difficulties.

“Since the economy is in the doldrums, we have to be more proactive,” she said.

Billy Spears and the Beer Bellies, a Lawrence favorite, will headline the entertainment, providing traditional Cajun and zydeco music.

Sara Bollig, left, and Kendall Simmons of Independence Inc., have fun trying on accessories that will be for sale at the Mardi Gras on the Kaw benefit. The event will be 7 p.m.-midnight Friday at Marriott Spring Hill Suites Ballroom, 1 Riverfront Plaza.

“They’re a blast to see and really pull the audience in,” Enyart said.

An all-you-can-eat buffet of Cajun cuisine awaits guests with a menu that includes crab cakes, gumbo, spicy shrimp, Andouille sausage and dirty rice.

To complement the palate, a wine tasting will be supported by Kansas wineries such as Fields of Fair, Heimhof, Holyfield and Davenport.

“We’ve made this unique by keeping our sponsors and entertainers local and centralized to the area,” Enyart said.

A king and queen will be crowned, with the honors going to the pair that wins best costume and claims the most beads. In addition, tarot card readers, Mardi Gras masks, beads and trinkets will be available, as well as door prizes and a cash bar.

“We’d like the event to become an annual tradition to let people know who we are and what we do,” Simmons said.

Independence Inc., helped 1,700 clients with disabilities last year. The center provided job training classes, client advocacy, living and management counselors, referrals, transportation and case management. The center also advises clients on affordable housing, loans and social security concerns.

— Monica White is a Kansas University journalism student.