Best of all, the whole affair is for a good cause. Every dime of your five dollars, or however much you choose to give, benefits Hospice Buffalo. The Artvoice Mardi Gras is one of the largest philanthropic Mardi Gras events in the country—and growing.

Our spiritual leader this year, as every year, is the divine Chevon Davis, whose troupe of drag queens will make appearances at various clubs throughout the evening.

This is our 13th year, an auspicious number for revelry. The night unfolds like a mystery, a dark, star-filled sky—it’s a night you won’t soon forget. And if you do, you can visit BuffaloBarfly.com, whose intrepid correspondents will be making the rounds and taking photographs to post the very next day. And if you can’t make it home for any reason, check into the Comfort Suites—they’re offering rooms for $69 and kicking five dollars back to Hospice.

As always, Artvoice thanks a heavenly host of sponsors, club owners, volunteers, float-builders, performers, marchers and assorted angels who make Super Fat Tuesday event possible. Our sponsors: Southern Comfort, Heineken, 103.3 the edge, Mix 104, 97 Rock, Wegmans, Tops, Wilson Farms, Shark Energy Drink, Hospice Buffalo, BuffaloBarfly.com. We also thank the Buffalo Police Department, Buffalo City Hall, Comfort Suites, Elmwood Taco & Subs, Roadside TV, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Big Print, Zoladz Limo Service, Eden Carriage Company, Curt Rotterdam, Ilya’s Belly Dancers, the indefatigable Chevon Davis and friends. Laissez le bon temps rouler. And don’t forget to vote before you drink.

Click to download printable guide