Get ready to laissez les bons temps rouler.

Madames and monsieurs will get that chance on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Bal Des Arts, a Mardi Gras fete sponsored by the Selma Arts Council. The party starts at 7 p.m. at the St. James Hotel, but revelers should gather at the Songs of Selma Park at 6:30 p.m. for the sidewalk Mardi Gras parade.

In cities such as Mobile and New Orleans, Mardi Gras events feature krewes. A krewe is a group that builds floats for the parade and dresses in theme costumes. Though floats and theme costumes aren’t expected this year, they could be a part of future parades.

This is the first year the party will hold a parade, but it’s the Bal Des Arts’ 7th year. Participants will march from the park to the hotel and partake in a dinner of shrimp jambalaya, red beans and rice, crab cakes, catfish and gumbo.

The king and queen of the event will be picked shortly after dinner by lot. Prizes will be awarded to three lucky revelers who find plastic babies in their king cake.

And then the dancing begins.

Greene said participants will enjoy the sounds of the Don Prater Jazz Band as they twirl across the dance floor.

The Bal Des Arts costs $30, and participants will receive dinner, beer and wine. A cash bar will be available.

Tickets are available at the Selma&045;Dallas County Public Library, the St. James Hotel, the Satterfield branch of Peoples Bank and through Selma Arts Council board members. The Selma Arts Council can be reached at 874-2177.

Dress is formal, semi-formal or Mardi Gras costume.

Money gained from the Bal Des Arts will go to the City of Selma Recreation Department Ceramic program for children.