Mardi Gras hits the streets of downtown Amherstburg tonight.
Event coordinator Ian France says the two-day event should prove to be a boost for businesses.
"We just see it as a complete benefit by driving all the split traffic into the area all the retail businesses in the downtown core will gain a lot more exposure and have the opportunity to find new clients or reconnect with old ones," says France.
Richmond St., Dalhousie St. and Murray St. will be closed off by roughly 3pm for the party starting at 5pm.
"You're going to get New Orleans-style music, we've got incredible Cajun-style food, authentic Mardi Gras New Orleans-style drinks," says France. "Street performers, fire acts, magicians, stilts, face painting and balloons for the kids on Saturday and live local music."
Residents shouldn't be worried about excessive noise for too long tonight.
"Even though we're allowed to stay open until 1am, we're going to end up killing the music probably around 11:15pm and closing this down by midnight so people can then go into the bars and restaurants," says France.
About 4,000 are expected each day.
