Get ready to “laissez les bons temps rouler” — let the good times roll — as the Mardi Gras holiday nears.

Most people associate New Orleans with the Mardi Gras festival, but the event is celebrated all over, including South Whidbey. Goosefoot is hosting its fifth annual Mardi Gras Party, 6–8:30 p.m. on Fat Tuesday, March 5 at Bayview Hall.

Goosefoot’s free, family-friendly event will have a costume contest, plus New Orleans-centric Zydeco and Cajun music. Green, gold and purple are colors people don for the holiday. Traditional costumes include feathers, masks, capes and many, many beads.

The live music will come from Ken Pickard and Zydeco Explosion, a Coupeville-based band. Dress up in more than just beads to compete in the costume contest with prizes for most original, most comical, best in show, best couple, best child and best mask.

There will food and drink from Taproom at Bayview Corner and muffulettas and beignets made special by Whidbey Doughnuts, which are traditional New Orleans-style sandwiches and pastries. Wine and beer will be available for sale at the Bayview Hall.

The French phrase “Mardi Gras” translates to “Fat Tuesday” in English and refers to the day prior to the Christian Lent season, which often includes fasting or giving up creature comforts such as sweets or indulgent foods. The next day, Ash Wednesday, begins the 47-day Lent period leading up to Easter.

The typical turnout at the Goosefoot party is about 100 people, events and education coordinator Sami Postma said.

“It’s a big community bash we have every year,” she said.

Her favorite part of the Mardi Gras party is seeing people come from all over and have fun together. A main part of Goosefoot’s mission is to build community, Postma said.

“Getting people together through fun events like this — that’s how we do it, ” she said.