Historic Athens proudly announces the return of its 7th Annual Mardi Gras Masquerade, taking place on Fat Tuesday, March 4, 2025. After five years, the event is back at the iconic 40 Watt Club in Downtown Athens. Presented by Levelish Construction, this year’s event promises a dazzling evening of live performances from beloved local artists Mary and the Hot Hotty Hots and Bichos Vivos, dancing, costumes, and the crowning of the Mardi Gras Court.
For tickets and full details, please visit bit.ly/mardigrasathens or click the button below!
Two Parties
in One
Historic Athens Mardi Gras brings you two parties in one—starting with the sizzling sounds of New Orleans hot jazz from Mary & the Hot Hotty Hots, transporting you straight to the French Quarter. Then, the energy shifts as Bichos Vivos takes the stage, filling the 40 Watt Club with the infectious rhythms of Brazilian Carnival. Whether you're dancing to the brassy swing of jazz or the pulsing beat of forró, this is a Mardi Gras experience like no other!
And the party doesn’t stop there– The Studio Athens dancers will keep the energy high with electrifying samba, drag performances from The Kourtesans, and guests are invited to bring their best looks for the Mardi Gras costume contest. Come dressed to impress—ith categories for Best Homemade Costume, Best Mardi Gras Formal, and Most Creative, this is your chance to go all out and take home the crown!
Food & Bev from
Local Favorites
This year’s Mardi Gras menu is all about local flavor, with hors d’oeuvres from Athens favorites like…
5&10
Mama Ning’s
Hendershot’s
Baddies Burgers
The Globe
Marti’s at Midday
White Tiger
…and other Athens favorites!
Guests can enjoy a taste of New Orleans with bites like étouffée, gumbo, and fresh crudités, plus hot, made-to-order beignets for the perfect sweet finish. 40 Watt Club will have local brews and favorites to keep the party going all night long!
Join the VIP Party at the Nighthawks
Since opening in 2023, Nighthawks has become a Newtown favorite and a go-to for expertly crafted cocktails in a cozy Americana atmosphere.
Come and enjoy their dedication to cocktail artistry with our 90-minute New Orleans Cocktail Experience with two handcrafted New Orleans cocktails, King Cake, and transportation to and from the main masquerade with Athens Trolley Tours.
Owners Jerry and Krista Slater are crafting old classics and their own takes on favorite Mardi Gras drinks. Spots are extremely limited, and have sold out in years past, so don’t miss it!
Vote for your 2025 Mardi Gras Court! Historic Athens is excited to announce the 2025 Mardi Gras Court, a group of community leaders competing to raise funds for local preservation efforts leading up to Historic Athens Mardi Gras 2025 on Fat Tuesday, March 4. Voting is now open at bit.ly/mardicourt25, where each vote equals a dollar, and the highest fundraisers will be crowned King and Queen, followed by Duke/Duchess and Prince/Princess, with all proceeds supporting Historic Athens' mission to celebrate and preserve Athens’ cultural heritage.
This year’s court includes six outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact in Athens and beyond:
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A dedicated public servant and advocate, Tim Denson currently serves as the District 5 School Board Member for the Clarke County School District and Team Lead at the Homeless Day Service Center. Previously, he was an Athens-Clarke County Commissioner and has spent nearly 15 years as a community organizer. He also serves on numerous boards, including Envision Athens and Georgia Conservation Voters.
"Mardi Gras has always been a celebration of people and joy, and we all need more joy right now! It's an even better celebration when the party is supporting the preservation of the history of Athens and its people," said Denson.
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A native of Athens, Lamar Handy is a Senior Financial Analyst at Emory University and an adjunct instructor at Atlanta Technical College. He is also deeply committed to community service as the founder of The DL Handy Foundation, which focuses on mental health awareness, scholarship, and philanthropy. Under his leadership, the foundation has raised thousands of dollars for causes such as childhood cancer research and mental health services in Athens.
"Athens-Clarke County helped shape and mold me into the man I am today. There’s so much greatness here, yet there’s a need for extra care to pour back into the community," said Handy.
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A lifelong community builder, Rashe Malcolm owns Rashe’s Cuisine, founded Farm to Neighborhood, Inc., and launched the Culinary Kitchen of Athens to support local entrepreneurs. She serves on the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Board and Clarke County Industrial Development Authority, working to strengthen the local economy. She also created HEALTHYouth, a summer program teaching business and leadership skills.
Now, as a nominee for the Historic Athens Mardi Gras Court, Rashe is thrilled to celebrate this Creole tradition, which embodies the vibrancy, color, and diversity of New Orleans. Just as Mardi Gras brings people together in joy and unity, Rashe is dedicated to fostering that same spirit of inclusion and celebration in Athens.
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A dedicated community leader and longtime Athens resident, Evelyn Rushing has played a vital role in initiatives supporting youth and underserved communities. Passionate about historic preservation, she champions storytelling and community engagement to honor the past while shaping a stronger future. Evelyn currently serves as the Branch Manager-Director at Pinewoods Library and actively contributes to organizations like the Clarke County Mentor Program and the Under The Tree Christmas assistance program. She previously served as Board President at Casa de Amistad and worked with the Clarke County School District.
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A longstanding Athens resident, Monira Silk is the founder of reBlossom, an eco-conscious baby shop and parenting center that has served as a highly regarded resource for local families. Before reBlossom, Monira was a photojournalist and ESOL teacher, but her own experience as a mother in 2010 inspired her to found Athens Parent Wellbeing, a non-profit focused on mental health services for parents, born out of the needs she saw through her work at reBlossom and her personal experience as a Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders survivor.
Monira is honored to be chosen for the 2025 Mardis Gras Masquerade Court and as a resident of Athens for nearly 25 years, is happy to help her friends at Historic Athens preserve Athens’ community heritage.
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Born and raised in Athens, Tiffany is a 2006 graduate of Cedar Shoals High School and the Founder and Executive Director of M.O.B.S (Mothers of Black Sons Development Program), a nonprofit dedicated to providing mentorship and resources for young African American male youths and their families. Tiffany currently serves as the County Commissioner for District 3 of the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, representing the community that shaped her. Through M.O.B.S, she has organized numerous community events, including the Back-to-School Uniform Drive, Trunk or Treat Halloween Celebration, Coats, Socks, and Hat Drive, and Family Day featuring local vendors. Tiffany and her team also volunteer at various food distribution events throughout the year.
She’s excited to be a part of this year's Mardi Gras, as it offers a unique chance to support local nonprofit work and experience Mardi Gras for the first time.
Our Performers
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Mary & the Hot Hotty Hots
Hot New Orleans Jazz
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Bichos Vivos
Brazillian Forró Music
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The Studio Athens
Samba Dancing
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The Kourtesans
Drag Performances
