Athens Reporter

Historic Athens has announced that their 5th Annual Historic Athens Mardi Gras Masquerade and Block Party will celebrate historic businesses of Athens, Georgia. The masquerade, presented by and hosted at Terrapin Beer Co., will feature annual traditions such as the best dressed competition, live music, dance performances and lessons, a costumed masquerade, and the crowning of the yearly Mardi Gras Court. Tickets for the February 21 event are now available at bit.ly/historicmardi23.

Over its five-year history, Historic Athens Mardi Gras has included a different history and advocacy-oriented theme for each year. Past themes for the event have included West Downtown, West Broad Street School, Preservation & Sustainability, and the 50th Anniversary of the University of Georgia Committee on Gay Education’s (CGE) historic dance. This year, the event will highlight historic businesses of Athens. A business is considered historic if it has been operating for at least 50 years.

“These iconic businesses play an important role in the cultural, economic and social development of the Classic City,” said Kimberly Davis, president of the Historic Athens Board of Trustees. “In honoring them, it shows that our organization understands and appreciates their impact.” 

In addition to annual traditions and the historic business commemoration hour, this event will feature a series of special showcases. These include a featured musical performance by Blair Crimmins & The Hookers, dance lessons and performances—including a traditional Mardi Gras samba—by The Studio Athens dancers, and a drag performance hour curated by Caro Caden.

This year's Mardi Gras Masquerade will be co-hosted by Historic Athens’ Hope Iglehart and New Orleans, Louisiana native Monique Sanders. Sanders is the founder and CEO of Get Stemulated, LLC, and was recognized in the inaugural class of Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Gamechangers, a group of 10 community leaders under 40 who are contributing to the betterment of Athens. 

Terrapin Beer Co., the annual sponsor for Historic Athens Mardi Gras, has offered their brewery as the site for this year’s masquerade. Attendees will enjoy authentic New Orleans cuisine and 36 oz. of Terrapin's award-winning beer, poured fresh in the Terrapin Tap Room (21+ only). The first 300 guests will receive a special limited-edition souvenir Historic Athens Mardi Gras Masquerade pint glass. The Cafe Racer food truck also will be on site with food for purchase. 

This is the third year that Historic Athens and Terrapin Beer Co. have partnered to bring a Mardi Gras celebration to Athens. “Historic preservation and sustainability are natural partners,” said Russel Stalvey, director of community partnerships and impact at Terrapin Beer. “That makes Historic Athens a natural fit for Terrapin Beer Company and our Terraprint initiatives. Our partnership is self-sustaining activism and we are proud of this relationship. And we get to have a party with friends and great beer on top of that! Everyone wins.”

Original source can be found here.