You don’t have to go to New Orleans this year to find a fun venue to celebrate Mardi Gras. Valdosta’s own Big Easy transplant, Flavor of New Orleans owner Brian Antoine, is hosting a Masquerade Ball right here in town.

On Friday evening, revelers can buy tickets to the ball, and come dressed in their finest attire. Brian says that the balls he’s attended his whole life in his hometown are always formal, so men are expected to wear tuxes or at least suits, and ladies are expected to wear gowns.

“I just went to New Orleans and bought a couple hundred masks because I thought people might have a hard time finding them here,” he said.

So if you don’t have a Mardi Gras mask, one will be provided, and there will be live bands and entertainment along with a buffet dinner and a cash bar. And, of course, Mardi Gras beads.

The Masquerade Ball will be held in the loft above City Market on Patterson Street downtown, and tickets are available at the restaurant. The event is 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and if you’re one of those who have long lamented that there is no Mardi Gras celebration in town, you’ve got your wish!

Bridal Fair

Belk at the Valdosta mall is hosting a Bridal Expo on Sunday, Feb. 22. It’s free and open to the public, with several local vendors on hand to assist brides in their wedding planning. The expo is from 2 to 5 p.m. and there will be a fashion show and much more that day, so if you’re getting married anytime soon and you’re interested in attending, contact the store.

Business Roundup

Exciting news this week, at least for the quilters out there. A new store, Gone Quiltin’, is now open in the Lake Park outlet mall across from the Farmhouse restaurant, between two antique stores. The store is selling fabric, notions, quilt frames and anything else avid quilters need to complete their collection. The store opens at 10 a.m. seven days a week, and the owner also does longarm quilting, where she’ll take your completed quilt top and quilt it by machine for you.

Wilson Eye Center is expanding their building on North Patterson Street and they’re adding more exam rooms, a larger optical area, new office spaces and enlarging the lobby. They’re holding a ground-breaking ceremony Tuesday at noon.

Southeastern Federal Credit Union is hosting its official ribbon-cutting this week for its new building on the corner of North Valdosta Road and Country Club on Wednesday at 10 .m.

The Professional Academy of Barbers is opening on Monday this week, located in the old post office on Marion Street. The owner will be teaching barbering and accepting the public to practice on at a very low price. He’ll be open Monday through Friday, 9 to 5.

Another new store announcement, this one in Hahira, for Serendipity Vintage Glassware & Antiques on Main Street. They’ll be open the beginning of March.