Special Events

Friend-Raiser Events

In 1990, an elegant affaire designed to recognize hospital donors was held on the roof of the north parking structure at Methodist Hospital. With each passing year, its popularity increased. Crystal Ball, now a fund-raising event, has become for many “the” social event of the San Gabriel Valley.

Throughout its history, Crystal Ball has generated more than $7.5 million dollars in support of such programs as stroke, emergency services, maternal/child care, advanced technology and innovative treatments for patients and The Next Generation of Care campus transformation at Methodist Hospital. Crystal Ball is traditionally held in October at the Pasadena Convention Center.

About five years after that first Crystal Ball, a second annual fundraiser and “friend-raiser” was born. The first Mardi Gras was held in 1995, and the Fat Tuesday celebration grows more popular with each year. Mardi Gras, held each year on “Fat Tuesday,” welcomes more than 700 local community members and businesses and more than two dozen restaurants to the "beads and boas" celebration, traditionally held at Sirona's Restaurant, Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.

Throughout the year, the foundation holds many other events, geared toward fun as well as fund-raising, but the largest – and most anticipated – events continue to be Crystal Ball and Mardi Gras.

For additional information on either of these events, contact Methodist Hospital Foundation at 626-898-8888.

Email: crystalball@methodisthospital.org or mardigras@methodisthospital.org.