Think beads, bright colors, dancing, culture, theme parades and spirit -- only Mardi Gras comes to mind.

Mardi Gras is the French name for Shrove Tuesday, which means "Fat Tuesday," symbolizing the last chance for partying, eating and drinking before Lent -- the solemn season of fasting before Easter.

Not only will the celebrations continue in traditional places such as New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, Nice, France, and Cologne, Germany but State College will also take part in the celebrations.

Jessica Fleck, who has been the manager of Party City, 32 Colonnade Way, for two and a half years, said the store has all its Mardi Gras decorations in stock. She said the most popular item is the beads.

Fleck said students also come in for decorations such as plates, napkins and cutouts. "They're definitely buying more this year," she said.

Fleck also said Hurricane Katrina has not affected sales, and people will probably want to celebrate the holiday even more.

"We usually get a rush two days or the day before [Mardi Gras]," she said.

In addition to buying holiday decorations, some of the local bars will be hosting special celebrations. Anthony Sapia, owner of Tony's Big Easy, 129 S. Pugh St., lived in New Orleans and met his wife Karen there.

"[Tony's Big Easy] was the first to have a Mardi Gras celebration in State College," he said.

Today, Tony's Big Easy will open at 8 a.m. and will be celebrating all day, with extensive buffets and drink specials.

Sapia said it's nice to see New Orleans continue to celebrate the holiday, and he's pleased to see other State College establishments hosting Mardi Gras parties.

"Mardi Gras in the Northeast has really caught on in the last 10 years," he said.

Whether you're in State College, New Orleans, New York or Los Angeles -- Mardi Gras is about having a good time, Sapia said.

"Be prepared to enjoy yourself. That's what Mardi Gras is all about. No hurricane can wipe that away," he said.

Sapia said that a portion of the profits from today's festivities will go toward helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Jeremy Brooks (sophomore-philosophy), an employee of Spats Café and Speakeasy, 142 E. College Ave., said that the establishment has a Mardi Gras celebration every year. He said that Spats will have wine tasting all week and that the employees will wear festive clothes for the holiday.

"[Spats] has a complete Mardi Gras menu," Brooks said. "Put your reservations in early -- it's going to be a lot of good food and good fun."

However, not all local establishments will be having Mardi Gras-themed celebrations. Chris Hoy, general manger of Bar Bleu, 114 S. Garner St, said the bar will be having its normal poker night and drink specials, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Amy Miller, manager of Food Services at Findlay Commons, said Findlay will be serving food for the Mardi Gras festivities. The demo cooking area in Findlay Commons will feature some New Orleans cuisine and will be decorated in the Mardi Gras designs.