Hear Ye!  Hear Ye!  Gents and ladies alike! Please consider yourself formally invited to a magnificently fun time! Natchez Downtown is throwing a Mardi Gras masked costume party at Dunleith for — when else — Fat Tuesday (Feb. 24) from 6 to 9 p.m.

Now, I must admit, I’ve been to Mardi Gras a time or two (wink! wink!), so I have an idea of what it’s all about — maybe.

This event was planned as a return to the roots of Mardi Gras. At one time, many moons ago, Mardi Gras was celebrated by those in the French Quarter and other areas of New Orleans by masked, costume balls and parties with fabulous food, free flowing libations and body moving, feet stomping music!

Many times those events took place in French Quarter homes and courtyards. So in keeping with that tradition, Dunleith is hosting this party!

Also, to further whet your appetite, here’s the menu: red beans and rice, onion soufflé, jambalaya, drummettes, chicken and andouille gumbo, brisket, finger sandwiches and more!

There will be a cash bar where we’ll have beer, wine, cocktails, Bloody Mary’s, hurricanes, and the special drink of the night — the jazzmatazz!  There will be plenty of Mardi Gras music, second line dancing in the courtyard and an all around good time!

The piece de resistance takes place at the close of the evening when there will be a “coming together” of the kings and queens from the various krewes of Natchez (much like they do in New Orleans when Comus and Rex greet each other at midnight on Fat Tuesday) to symbolize a unification of all in Natchez.

This is a fundraiser for Natchez Downtown, so there will also be a silent auction.

Tickets for this event are $15 each and are available through Natchez Downtown 601-442-2929 and Natchez Pilgrimage Tours 601-446-6631.

Please be sure to call today to ensure your spot. We are limiting the number of places and seating, so we need a head count!

So come on out and “pass a good time” (as they say down in New Orleans) and show your support for Natchez Downtown!

I hope to see y’all there!

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER!

Carrie Lambert is the director of Natchez Downtown.