The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to Medieval Europe, passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries to the French House of the Bourbons.

But, fortunately, Pike Countians don’t have to go to those far away places or back in time to participate in the fun and frolic of Mardi Gras.

The Colley Senior Complex will host its annual Mardi Gras Gala from 7 p.m. until midnight Saturday at Cattleman Par. The event promises to be the most fun and festive Mardi Gras event north of the port city of Mobile, said Catherine Jordan, senior complex director.

“I just don’t know where you could go and celebrate Mardi Gras with better music, better food, more fun or for a better cause than the Colley Senior Complex Mardi Gras Gala,” Jordan said. “By popular demand, the First Generation band from Atlanta is back again this year. First Generation plays any kind of music you want to hear, going back to the 1960s and up through the music of today. The band’s lead singer is female and she is outstanding.”

Jordan said requests have already been logged for songs like “My Girl” and by artists including Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin.

“The band will begin with dinner music and ramp it up as the night goes on,” Jordan said. “And, somewhere in between the ‘saints will go marching in.’ A trumpet will lead the ‘saints’ in a parade around the building. We all look forward to the parade.”

Attire for the Mardi Gras Gala is anything from tuxedos and formal gowns to boots and spurs.

“At the door, we’ll have beads and masks for everyone,” Jordan said. “And, there will be a photo booth where you can preserve your memories of the 2015 Mardi Gras Gala.”

The Gala will have three food stations, each featuring a different cuisine to accommodate the different preferences in food.

“One station will have Cajun foods; another will be a low country boil and the third will feature tradition Southern cooking,” Jordan said. “Later in the night, we’ll have beignets and chocolate milk.”

Tickets for the Mardi Gras Gala are $50 each and are available at the Colley Senior Complex on 715 East Elm Street in Troy. Tables for 10 are also available.

Krissy Pinckard, Colley Senior Complex Foundation Board chair, said the Mardi Gras Gala offers, not only a night of great music, food and fellowship, but it is also the largest fundraiser for the Colley Senior Complex. All proceeds support the many and varied programs the senior center offers.

“We invite everyone to come out and have a good time in support of a good cause,” Pinckard said.