Mardi Gras Food Fest Raises $230,000 for Cancer Services at Methodist Hospital

The USC Arcadia Hospital Foundation’s 24th annual Mardi Gras Food Fest was held on March 5 at Sirona’s Restaurant in Santa Anita Park raising more than $230,000 for cancer services at USC Arcadia Hospital of Southern California, a record high for this annual beads and boa celebration.

A sell-out crowd of 1,100 people attended Mardi Gras, which also set records for highest attendance in the 24-year history of the event. The Foundation honored internal medicine specialist Dino Clarizio, MD, and his wife, Hope, as the honorary King and Queen of Mardi Gras.

“We are flattered to be recognized at Mardi Gras this year,” says Dr. Clarizio, who is an Arcadia native and has served the community for more than 30 years. “Guests had a wonderful time, enjoying each other’s company, partaking in the fabulous food and dancing to great music while raising funds for a great cause.”

A record 67 event sponsors, led by Mardi Gras title sponsors Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel and Arcadia Healthcare Center, helped fill the room. Event co-chairs Sophia Chan, Mark Hafeman and Patty Soldo and the members of the 2019 Mardi Gras committee created a festive party atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Thirty-one of the San Gabriel Valley’s most popular restaurants participated in Mardi Gras by sharing a delicious variety of foods throughout the evening, while patrons also danced to the 80’z All Stars band, which played two encores for the lively revelers. The Mardi Gras parade included members of the Arcadia High School marching band, who led the King and Queen, the Mardi Gras planning committee, futboleros and dancing girls to the stage for a celebration during festivities.

Mardi Gras celebrants Sophia Chan, Mark Hafeman, Hope Clarizio, Dr. Dino Clarizio and Patty Soldo.

About USC Arcadia Hospital: Founded in 1903, USC Arcadia Hospital is a full-service community hospital with 348 licensed beds. The hospital offers advanced cardiovascular services including cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology, and open heart surgery. Los Angeles County has designated USC Arcadia Hospital as both a heart attack and stroke receiving center as well an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics. The hospital also offers a variety of services in orthopedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics, and many other medical specialties. More than 50,000 patients are treated annually in the Emergency Department, while the hospital typically has more than 16,000 patient admissions each year.

Media Contact: Brian Greene, 626-354-1484
​Brian.Greene@methodisthospital.org