Courtesy of Mary Ann Johnson

Three Minute Lovin' performs at last year's Knights of Columbus Mardi Gras Ball.

Courtesy of Mary Ann Johnson

Jim Armstrong (left) and his wife, Marie, participate in last year's Mardi Gras event.

| Mary Hardbarger

Mardi Gras season has arrived and although the masks and beads may be the first things that come to mind, there is much more to the celebration.

The New River Valley Knights of Columbus will host next Saturday its second Mardi Gras Ball with help from a few members who have experienced the celebration firsthand.

Charlene and George Flick moved to Blacksburg more than 40 years ago from New Orleans.

Growing up in such a vibrant culture, Charlene Flick said she remembers the Mardi Gras festivities clearly. From the food and the parties to the elaborate balls hosted by elite societies, Mardi Gras events happened every weekend, Flick said.

And according to Flick, Mardi Gras isn't just Fat Tuesday.

"It's really a two-month celebration," Flick said. "People party from sunup to sundown."

Festivities kick off with the Feast of Epiphany in early January and continue through Ash Wednesday, which this year is Feb. 17.

In between those dates, Flick remembers hosting king cake parties at her home with friends.

King cake, similar to coffee cake and decorated with Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold and green, is baked with a small baby figurine inside -- representing the baby Jesus.

Flick said whoever found the baby figurine in a slice of cake would choose who would hold the next party.

If a girl got the figurine, she would host the next party. If a boy did, he would choose a girl to be his "queen" and together, they would host.

Flick said she also got the opportunity to attend another traditional Mardi Gras staple -- a carnival ball hosted by an elite organization called Krewe.

There were several Krewes throughout New Orleans made up of lawyers and doctors and other top members of the community. And when it came to throwing carnival balls, they went all out, Flick said.

Flick said she remembers sitting on a balcony during the ball with other spectators, watching the dancing and the royal court of Krewe members.

"It was a spectacular sight," Flick said. "It really put us in the spirit of Mardi Gras."

This year, the Flicks hope to bring some of that spirit and tradition to the Mardi Gras Ball in Blacksburg.

Flick and her husband will help with the jambalaya and Susan Williams, originally from Mamou -- the Cajun side of New Orleans -- will help with the decorations.

There also will be music by the Three Minute Lovin' band and other musicians, plenty of king cake and plenty of fun, said Jim Armstrong, a member of the Knights and organizer of the ball.

The group is an all-male organization that provides financial assistance for various families, nonprofits and churches.

"We're here to help support the people who need it," Armstrong said.

This year, the Knights have pledged that half of the profits made at the Mardi Gras Ball will go toward relief efforts in Haiti.

And not only will participants be supporting a great cause, they'll have fun, too, Armstrong said.

"People need to get together and smile and laugh and just have a good time," he said. "That's what Mardi Gras is all about, and this will be a good place to do it."