Celebrate Mardi Gras with a Masquerade, 5K, Jazz, Dining Specials

Mardi Gras is a week away, Tuesday, Feb. 12, but Cobb County is kicking off the festivities early with a run on Marietta Square this weekend, a meet and eat for seniors on Thursday, and music and dining events leading up to Fat Tuesday.

Take a look at some of the events going on this week and next week, and be sure to share your events in the comments below or in the community calendar.

Mardi Gras Meet & Eat for Seniors

Thursday, February 7 from noon to 2 p.m.
Cost: $8.00 Resident; $10 Non-Resident

Join the Freeman Poole Senior Center for the Mardi Gras Meet and Eat. Dress to impress. Akil Shakir will be performing live with music from the 70’s. Enjoy a delicious meal too. Call the C. Freeman Poole Senior Center at 770-801-3400 for details and reservation.

Marietta Mardi Gras 5K Run

Saturday, Feb. 9 on Marietta Square
Cost: $30; $15 for Tot-Trot

The 4th Annual Marietta Mardi Gras 5K Run on the Marietta Square will benefit the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta and it's Community Partners. The 5K run will begin at 8 a.m., with the 1K beginning at 8:45 a.m. and the Tot-Trot at 9 a.m. For the third year, the Junior League is teaming up with Shoes for the Cure for a shoe drive. All shoe donations are welcome - not just running shoes. There will be bins for drop-off available.

Oyster and Mardi Gras Festival at Atkins Park in Smyrna

Friday, Feb. 8 to Tuesday, Feb. 12

Atkins Park in Smyrna is hosting the second annual Oyster and Mardi Gras festival. There will be live music, New Orleans-style fare, drink specials, and all kinds of oysters, including po' boy form.

The fun begins Friday with free admission and a show by Dixie Duncan. Saturday and Sunday includes performances by Joe Garner & Company, The Quail Dogs, Man Made, Squirrelheads and others. Monday is family-friendly with music by GrassRoots, New Orleans cuisine, face painting and mask decorating. Fat Tuesday features a Mask Party. Bring your own mask or buy one for $5. Andrew Black & Friends perform at 9:30 p.m.

11 p.m.-4 a.m. Feb. 8. Free; 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Feb. 9. $5 advance, $10 at the door; 11 a.m.-4 a.m. Feb. 10. $5 advance, $10 at the door; 5:30-9 p.m. Feb. 11. Free; 9:30 p.m.-4 a.m. Feb. 12. $5.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar, 2840 S. Atlanta Road, Suite B, Smyrna. 770-435-1887, smyrnaoystermardigrasfest.com.

Henry’s Louisiana Grill Mardi Gras in Acworth

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 at 4835 North Main Street Acworth, GA 30101

Downstairs is family Mardi Gras time with a costume contest for adults and kids; judging is at 7 p.m. for kids and 8 p.m. for adults. There will be food and drink specials, and beads, beads, beads!

Upstairs is Pardi Gras, Henry’s-Style. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the DJ will be playing rockin’ Louisiana tunes. Chef Henry’s favorite Mardi Gras band, Delta Moon, will be performing from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Best Costume judging at 10:30 p.m. $5 Hurricanes; $2 Shooters; $1 PBR: 21 and over to party upstairs.

New Orleans Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet, Fat Tuesday Celebration at Copeland’s of New Orleans in Kennesaw

Sunday, Feb. 10, the three-piece Traci Wynn Band will perform. Guests can choose from an array of New Orleans staples including boiled shrimp, jambalaya, etouffee and more. Omelet, prime rib and dessert stations.

A special Fat Tuesday event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 12 and features the Trevor Truvill Band. A variety of crawfish dishes will be on hand, and Hurricane cocktails and Mardi Gras punch are among the libations.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 10. $21.99; $18.99 ages 65 and older; $8.99 ages 5-10; free ages 4 and younger. 1142 Barrett Parkway N.W., Kennesaw. 770-919-9612, copelandsatlanta.com.

Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball: A Fundraiser for Loving Arms Cancer Outreach

Saturday, Feb. 16, 6:30 to 11 p.m. at InfoMart, 1582 Terrell Mill Rd., Marietta 30067
Cost: $50/ person or $80/ couple

All are invited to attend this very special event. Proceeds will go to assist cancer patients with financial, emotional and educational needs as they go through the cancer journey. The attire is semi-formal/ formal. Ticket price includes admission, buffet dinner, dancing, party favors and one drink ticket. Tickets can be purchased online at lovingarmscanceroutreach.org.