The public is invited to help celebrate Mardi Gras in downtown Athens tonight with a variety of events.

The Athens Arts League will have free children’s art activities from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. at High Cotton Arts at 103 W. Washington St. Children can make Mardi Gras masks and decorate their wagons and bicycles for the Mardi Gras Street Fair.

Athens Arts League, following a Mobile tradition, will give away mini Moon Pies while supplies last.

The Mardi Gras Street Fair will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning. Athens High School’s Jazz Band will have a Dixieland group performing as part of the festivities. The students, musicians and children with decorated wagons and bicycles will march on Marion and Washington streets.