The biggest party of the year comes to the Gaslamp Quarter on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 6 p.m. to midnight during the annual Mardis Gras in the Gaslamp celebration. The event features two parades — one at 7:30 p.m. and another at 10 p.m. — live music, dancers, performers and bayou-themed live entertainers roaming up and down Market Street. Thousands are expected to fill the blocks from Broadway to K Street, across Fourth, Fifth and Sixth avenues. “The celebration is Gaslamp-wide, and every business along there is actually involved. Many of them will waive cover charges and have drink specials,” said Heather Ashby, marketing manager for the Gaslamp Quarter Association. Tickets range from a $15 pre-sale and $20 at the gates, to a variety of package deals for local restaurants and night spots. Gates are located at Fifth Avenue and Broadway; and Sixth Avenue and K Street. This year’s event, Ashby said, will feature approximately 40 to 50 floats parading down Fifth Avenue. Dancers, fire-breathers, bead-wranglers and performers will walk up and down cross streets for the full Mardis Gras cause célèbre. “The highlight of the event is the parades,” Ashby said. “Usually we’ll see about 40 and 50 floats. The 10 p.m. parade is a little more adult.” One tradition includes giving out bead necklaces to those risqué partiers willing to bare a little more than warranted on a usual Tuesday. Elite Security guards will stand by during this year’s Mardi Gras celebration. Partiers must be 21 and over to attend. The event should provide an economic boon to local businesses. Promoting the area is part of the local business association’s responsibility. The Gaslamp Quarter Association, the area’s Business Improvement District, uses part of local business fees to promote and drive traffic to the area. For more information, ticket sales and details, visit www.gaslamp.org.