The Lafayette Breakfast Optimist Club will host its 23rd Annual Fat Tuesday Dinner Fundraiser on February 24, 2026 at The Outpost, 2501 Old 231 South, Lafayette. The event is a fundraiser for the club's Teacher Grant program that has awarded nearly $500,000 to local teachers over the past 23 years. Activities include an authentic southern Cajun dinner and appetizers, cash bar, live New Orleans jazz, silent auction, raffle, Mardi Gras Costume Contest, balloon wall and Wheel of Optimism. The Lafayette Breakfast Optimist Club has been meeting the needs of young people in Greater Lafayette for over 50 years. They live their motto, "Friend of Youth," and spirit of Optimism every day.