Come dressed as casually or as costumed as you please to Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village's "Mardi Paws" benefit Saturday, Feb. 20.

This new event, benefiting the homeless animals at Rescue Village, will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. at The Bertram Inn & Conference Center, 600 N. Aurora Rd., Aurora 44202.

There you'll find a N'awlins carnival extraordinaire, where pet-friendly partiers will stroll to the Les Chats Meow Casino, dance to the Mo’Mojo Band, drink at the Krewe of Barkus Bar, feast on southern fare at Café du Mutt, and take part in paws-itively fabulous silent and live auctions.

"Mardi Paws will be a fabulous party with a purpose: saving the lives of homeless, abused, sick and injured animals so that they can find forever homes," Rescue Village Executive Director Hope Brustein said. "What a great way to warm up winter's coldest month."

The silent auction features a fabulous weekend in New Orleans with Jazz Fest tickets for two; a stay in Breckenridge, Colorado; and a pottery bowl designed by Shaquille 'Neal; as well as various jewelry, art, sports memorabilia and event passes.

Tickets cost $85 for dinner and casino money; or $125 for the VIP reception with Rescue Village's canine king and queen, Butch and Sundance; three drink tickets; casino money and a listing in the event program.

For ticket information, call 440-338-4819 Ext. 19 or visit GeaugaHumane.org.

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com