New Orleans’ Mardi Gras boosters call their annual extravaganza “the greatest free show on earth,” and Vicksburg will offer its own version of the festivities Feb. 21.

If you go

* Eighth Annual Mardi Gras parade — 4 p.m. Feb. 21, sponsored by Main Street; to enter: visit the office at 1413 Walnut St., call 601-634-4527 or log on to www.downtownvicksburg.org; deadline: 4 p.m, Feb. 6.

* Seventh Annual Mardi Gras Ball — 8 p.m. Feb. 21, sponsored by Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation; tickets: $30 per person; Nancy Bell, 601-636-5010.

* Children’s Mardi Gras Mask-Making Workshop — 3:45 to 5 p.m. Feb. 20; Southern Cultural Heritage Center, 1302 Adams St.; for ages 5 and older; $10 per child; 601-631-2997 or info@southernculture.org.

The Eighth Annual Mardi Gras parade, sponsored by Vicksburg’s Main Street program, will roll along Washington Street from Belmont to Jackson street beginning at 4 p.m.

“We always have a great turnout, and it’s a fun family event,” said Kim Hopkins, interim director of the Main Street Program.

Though on a smaller scale than the New Orleans granddaddy of Mardi Gras celebrations, the Vicksburg parade is modeled after those in larger cities and features the floats, beads, feathers and other traditional items, Hopkins said.

Other Mardi Gras-related events include a children’s mask-making workshop at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center Feb. 20, and the Seventh Annual Mardi Gras Ball Feb. 21.

The workshop offers kids a chance to make a colorful Mardi Gras mask and have it ready in time for the parade. The ball benefits the Vicksburg Foundation for Historical Preservation.

Parades and balls are traditions of the annual Carnival season that takes place each year at Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. After the revelry, the following day, Ash Wednesday, marks the start of the Lenten season leading up to Easter. Because the date of Easter changes each year, Mardi Gras also falls on different dates from year to year.

The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans was held on Feb. 24, 1857. This year, the official date of Mardi Gras is also Feb. 24.

Several days or even weeks of festivities known as Carnival culminate in Mardi Gras. Krewes, which developed from private social clubs and organizations, generally foot the bill for the floats and colorful beads, feathers, plastic cups and other fun items thrown into the crowds.

Hopkins said Main Street is looking for krewes — any organizations, businesses, schools or clubs — to reserve a place in the Vicksburg Mardi Gras parade.

Anyone interested in entering a float can call the Main Street office or visit the Web site for an application. Fees are $50 for businesses, and $24 for nonprofit organizations. Applications must be made by 4 p.m. Feb. 6.

“We always invite the schools to come with their bands,” Hopkins said.

The event is much like the Christmas parade though on a smaller scale, she said, “and the weather is usually pretty good.”

Street music is also planned for parade day, with stores, balconies and windows of the residences along the parade route decorated.

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Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com.