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Whether you call it Mardi Gras, Shrove or Fat Tuesday, the end of carnival season will be celebrated locally on Saturday.

Organized by the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, the Third Annual celebration features an  afternoon of family-friendly mask making ahead of the night’s Happy Hour and Masquerade Ball  according to Executive Director Sylvia Sylvia-Cioffi. The event supports the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation, a nonprofit that provides music education and scholarships to local students.

Mask-decorating:

From 1 to 5 p.m. Pick up a free, undecorated mask at Backward Glances inside the Shoppes at the Arcade, located at 658 Cookman Avenue. Visit participating businesses in the downtown to get free decorations. They include:  Food Lube, Paws Pet Boutique, Heaven, B & G Home Interiors, Severedwing, Blackbird Presents, Words!, Paranormal Books & Curiosities, Larry Cadillac, Flux Modern, Hot Mess and Style Rocket. Then return to the Shoppes at the Arcade where tables with glue will be set up for design. Once complete, participants can enter the mask making contest, with winners being announced at 5:15 p.m. Artist Raven will be on hand for free face painting.

Mardi Gras Happy Hour

From 3 to 7 p.m. the festivities continue at Taka, located at 660 Cookman Ave. Festive fare and drink specials are on the menu.

Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball

The VooDUDES return to headline the annual event, being held at Asbury Park Brewery, located at 810 Sewall Ave. HP and His Hot Take Out Band opens and the costume contest features prizes from local merchants.

A free shuttle bus will run from 6:45 to 12:45 p.m., making a loop from Cookman Avenue [in front of Taka] to the Brewery and back.

Tickets are $20 in advance at Backward Glances or via TicketLeap.com, and $25 at the door. For more information, click here.

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