Let the jazz music play and the gumbo fill every bowl, Mardi Gras is around the corner, and in preparation of the final blow out before lent, Vicksburg has a new event to bring the fun to town.

The first River Revelers’ Masked Ball will be from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

“I like the aspect of it being a formal masked ball,” said Annette Kirklin, convention center director. “It’s fun to dress up. Plus the whole mask thing is intriguing and fun. It puts the whole New Orleans style into it, that’s the traditional thing they do down there.”

The band GOT Groove, a self-proclaimed interactive dance party from New Orleans, is scheduled to perform a variety of music starting at 8 p.m. covering Frank Sinatra and Justin Timberlake as well as featuring Top 40, 80s, R&B, hip hop, country, jazz, rock, disco and more genres of music.

The convention center’s Palmertree Catering will serve the 7 p.m. meal of New Orleans creole style foods and the 10 p.m. dessert of King Cake and beignets.

There will be a cash bar, and cocktails will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Vicksburg Main Street director Kim Hopkins plans on the ball becoming an annual event in Vicksburg, and she has high expectations for this year’s turnout.

“We want to have at least 400 people, but would love to have more,” Hopkins said.

A king and queen will be crowned during the night of masked dancing. All men and women residents of Vicksburg are eligible for nomination. The vote for king and queen will be during the ball, where the winners will also be crowned. Nominations are being accepted until Feb. 3, by contacting Main Street at 601-634-4527 or kimh@vicksburg.org.

“If you nominate someone, the only way you’ll be able to vote for the winner is if you attend the ball,” Hopkins said. “We have had names turned in already. People are getting excited.”

Proceeds from the black-tie event go to the Vicksburg Main Street association, and Hopkins said a portion of the revenue would be donated to the American Heart Association because February is American Heart Month.

Event tickets are $50, and tables of 10 are $500. Tickets can be purchased at Walnut Hills, 1214 Adams St., the Vicksburg Main Street office, 1413 Walnut St., or at downtownvicksburg.org.

“It’s going to be a fun thing,” said Joyce Clingan, Walnut Hills owner and Masked Ball chairman. “It is a great time for us to come together during the Mardi Gras season.”

Those who purchase a table will be given a free entry into the Downtown Vicksburg Mardi Gras Parade. King and Queen will also serve as grand marshals in the parade scheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 25.