The fourth annual Mardi Gras party and national bike tour is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 28 at The Greek@the Harbor, Ventura Village Harbor in Ventura.

The bike ride starts at 6:30 a.m. with the Mardi Gras celebration party beginning at 12:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged.

The festivities will have king cakes, free beads and Cajun spices as favors.

The Zydeco Zippers will provide live Louisiana music with accordion, fiddle and washboard. The Greek's belly dancers will perform.

The lunch buffet will offer gumbo, baked chicken, veggie pasta, Greek salad and baklava included in the price.

Prizes will be awarded for best costumes, best Cajun dancers, best krewe team, largest family group as well as oldest, youth and youngest riders. All costumed children will win prizes.

Bicyclists will have three ride options of 25, 60 or 100 miles of marked county bike routes.

The MGC Bike Ride has full support, six rest stops, deli road lunch, roving cycle mechanics, ambulances standing by and massage therapists at the finish line.

Charities benefiting from the proceeds include MISSION: Ventura Velo, the MS and Arthritis Foundations, breast cancer research and Habitat for Humanity's Musician's Village in New Orleans.

The Mardi Gras Celebration Party is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Children under 5 are admitted free.

The bike ride is $75 in advance online at www.ACTIVE.com or $80 at the door. All donations are tax-deductible.

For more information, go to www.VenturaVelo.Org.

For information about the MG Bicycle Tour, call ride master Paul Callaway at (805) 701-9267.