Multicolored beads, glittery masks and great music and food all lead to one thing: a Mardi Gras.

On Fri., Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in front of Selma City Hall, Selma will have its own Mardi Gras celebration, complete with music from Selma High school marching band and a disc jockey, to help raise money for the reopening of the Claude C. Brown Family Center.

Sponsored by the Selma City Council, after the mini-parade, the event will take place inside the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center. Admission is $25 per person and $200 for a party of eight.

Susan Keith, Ward 2 city council representative, who is helping to spearhead the project along with council members Angela Benjamin and Sam Randolph, said raising money for Brown YMCA’s reopening is the group’s primary mission.

“Not only do we want everyone to come out and have fun,” Keith said.

“But we want the community to get involved to help improve the building because the children in this community need its services.”

The Brown YMCA closed its doors last November because of roofing problems that caused leaks and could be a fire hazard.

Yasmin McKinney, executive director for both Brown and Walker-Johnson YMCAs, said the building is in need of major repairs.

“We had to shut it down for safety and health reasons,” McKinney said. “We served about 150 children and it’s very disappointing that the facility is closed. We’re hoping by the summer time it can be reopened but it’s going to take the community.”

Keith said Brown strengthens character in children and improves their self-esteem.

“It’s important that every child have access to a place where he or she can fit in and the YMCA does that,” Keith said. “The Y offers children positive role models and an outlet. We want to restore Brown YMCA and get it up and running again.”

McKinney agrees and said reopening the facility is a must.

The public can purchase tickets from the Walker-Johnson YMCA, the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, any city council member or the night of the event.

For more information contact Susan Keith at 349-0416 or 874-1234.