FRANCONIA NOTCH, New Hampshire ??” Cannon Mountain is hosting its annual Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday, February 11. The day will be filled with the spirit of Mardi Gras, plenty of beads, food and decorations. For those who’ve always wanted to don masks and outrageous outfits, Cannon Mountain is the place to be to celebrate legendary Fat Tuesday??”a little ahead of time and in a cooler climate.

For kids 12 and under, Cannon will host the Mardi Gras Costume Cookie Race on the Brookside Slope from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. All kids who dress up and join the race will get a cookie at the finish line. Then at 3 p.m., everyone can join the Apr??s Party, held in the The Lift Pub. Entertainment and Creole/Cajun dishes such as jambalaya, gumbo, and other specialties will round out the celebration.

Cannon Mountain offers 55 trails, 9 lifts, and terrain from beginner to expert. The NH Division of Parks and Recreation, part of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, manages Cannon Mountain. For more information on the Mardi Gras Celebration or Cannon Mountain Ski Area, visit www.cannonmt.com or call 603-823-8800.