Celebrate Mardi Gras in Atlanta

Mardi Gras, also called Fat Tuesday and Shrove Tuesday, is celebrated as a holiday in the New Orleans area with elaborate festivals, masquerade balls, and parades. It is a time of great fun and celebration for all.

Not going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras? If you live in Atlanta, you don't have to miss out on all the fun. There are many events taking place to celebrate Mardi Gras in the city and surrounding metro area.

Parish, an establishment on North Highland Avenue, will be having its Mardi Gras party on Saturday February 21st, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Charlie Wooten Band and Zydefunk will be performing live. Cajun food, including a whole roasted pig, will be provided, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets may be purchased for $35, or $40 at the door. A portion of the profits from this event will be donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Tastings, A Wine Experience, located on West Ponce de Leon Avenue, in Decatur, will be hosting their party on Tuesday February 24^th, from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM. In addition to offering food and drink items from their regular menu, they will also feature themed drinks, muffalettas and king cakes, while you listen to Mardi Gras music. Wear your mask and enter their Mardi Gras mask contest.

Front Page News, in Little Five Points, on Moreland Avenue, will celebrate by having a Mardi Gras Festival on Saturday February 21st, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 AM. Food and drink for the evening will include muffalettas, crawfish, red beans and rice, jambalaya, and hurricanes. Performing live will be Kingsized, The Squirrel Heads, Totally Savage, Webster and Marching Abominable. Tickets are $10 in advance or $20 at the door.

The Garden Hills Recreation Center, on Pinetree Drive, will be holding its European Mardi Gras 2009 on Saturday February 21^st beginning at 8:00 PM. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served while music is performed by Di Dsir. Wear your Mardi Gras costume and compete for the best costume. Tickets may be purchased at $30 for the general public and $20 for members. R.S.V.P. by February 18.

Or you could throw your own Mardi Gras party at home. Tell all your invited guests to wear a costume and mask and have your own costume contest. Serve , jambalaya, muffalettas, crawfish, red beans and rice and other traditional Mardi Gras foods. Bake a king cake for dessert. If you know someone in a band, maybe you even have some live music. Search the internet for more Mardi Gras ideas for your party. You and your guests will have just as much fun, if not more, at half the price.