New Orleans may traditionally be known as the Mardi Gras capital of the U.S., but one local church hopes to bring the flavor of the French-themed holiday to Bartow County to help raise money for a good cause.

“Fat Tuesday” has historically been set aside as a day of fun and festivities where revelers can partake of good eats and good times just before the beginning of Lent, the period of fasting and abstinence that is from Ash Wednesday to Easter.

The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, located on Cherokee Street in Cartersville, is hosting a Mardi Gras celebration Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and organizers say they believe it will be the only of its kind held locally.

“Nobody else in Bartow County is doing a Mardi Gras celebration,” said Nancy Zerbe, outreach committee member at the church.

The celebration will feature “authentic” New Orleans cuisine, great music and dancing.

Zerbe said the community is invited to come take part in the festivities.

“It’s nice for the community to be able to have a celebration,” Zerbe said.

Tickets are $40 and are available at the church office from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by contacting Brenda Worley at (404) 308-5792.

Wine and beer are included in the ticket price and a cash bar will be available.

There also will be a special auction during the event.

Items available for bidding include a custom-made kitchen island and items from OwenLawrence, a “high-end” retail business based in Buckhead.

Proceeds from the Mardi Gras celebration benefit the church’s food pantry, which provides food for 76 families a week.

Gail Underwood, who is part of the committee organizing the event, said the goal of the fundraiser is to make an impact on the community.

“This is a great outreach event for the community,” Underwood said.

Music will be provided by Next Page and DJ Nunzio Cheverez said he hopes to make this Mardi Gras celebration memorable.

“I’m very excited,” Cheverez said. “It’s for a good cause.”

It may seem unconventional for a church to host a Mardi Gras celebration but the Reverend Mary Erickson said there couldn’t be a better host.

"Christians are a joyful people. Every day we give thanks and praise for Jesus Christ. And the celebration is for a good cause: to love and care for our neighbors through our outreach and food pantry efforts."