On Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., the first Villa Park community Mardi Gras celebration will be held at the Iowa Community Center.

The event, co-sponsored by the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce, library, and Recreation Department, will be a free family event, featuring a Cajun cooking demonstration, kids craft session (charge for materials), a concert by a four-piece Cajun band, a movie about Cajun life, a Mardi Gras costume parade and contest, and a mini-float contest, with floats to be made from shoe boxes. Cajun food will be available for purchase.

Event planners include Alesia Bailey, executive director of the Chamber; Judy Grove, adult outreach librarian at the library; and Jenny Casale, program supervisor for the Recreation Department. Information about the contests will be available at the Iowa Center, library, and chamber.

For information about the event, see posters around the village or call Jenny at (630) 834-8970.