Tybee Island, just 20 minutes east of historic Savannah, will celebrate the 4th annual Mardi Gras Tybee Festival with a masquerade ball, parade and street party on Friday and Saturday, 2012.

This weekend-long event will showcase the traditions of Mardi Gras as well as Tybee’s casual coastal charm. Purple, gold and green flags will be flying high while attendees enjoy live entertainment and much more. A number of Tybee Island businesses will also celebrate Mardi Gras by hosting king cake parties – please visit www.MardiGrasTybee.com for a complete list.

On Feb. 17, the Tybee Island Masquerade Ball will kick-off the festivities with music from accordion player Dwight “Black Cat” Carrier, one of the top zydeco musicians to come out of Louisiana. Carrier will perform live at Fannies on the Beach, located at 1613 Strand Ave., from 8-11 p.m. The Masquerade Ball will also feature guest MC Layla Fox, a King and Queen costume contest and Krewe Cup contest. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and are available online at www.MardiGrasTybee.com under the Masquerade Ball tab.

The Mardi Gras Street Party, which is free and open to the public, will take place on February 18 from noon to 6 p.m. at the south end of the island by the Tybee Pier, located at Tybrisa Street and Strand Avenue. The party will feature live music by The Dawgs of Dixie, a six-piece traditional Dixieland jazz band, from noon to 3 p.m. and by Carrier from 3-6 p.m. Vendors will also be set up on-site.

The 2012 Mardi Gras Tybee Parade, which will feature colorful floats, plenty of beads and family-friendly fun, will begin on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. The parade starts at the north end of the island at Hwy. 80 and 2nd Avenue and heads south down Butler Avenue, turning left on Tybrisa Street. The parade ends as it passes the festival site along the strand. The parade is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.mardigrastybee.com or www.tybeevisit.com.