Get a slice of Mardi Gras at the Main Library | Arts & Culture

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - As part of a festive Mardi Gras celebration, Ohio’s Largest King Cake will be constructed, iced, decorated, and then cut into slices and served to the public at the Main Library (8th and Vine streets) on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 1-4 p.m. Members of The Greater Cincinnati Retail Bakers Association will be constructing the massive 10-by-6-foot cake.

Some of the lucky attendees will randomly receive a “bubble gum coin” in their slice and win one of 500 Mardi Gras prizes, including teddy bears, beads, and paczkis. In addition, 12 grand prize King Cakes (donated from the participating area bakers) will also be given away at the event.

To “spice” up the afternoon, there will be two cooking demos:

• Pastry Chef Stefan Skirtz, will dish out tips on how to prepare Bananas Foster. Afterwards, he’ll offer samples of his tasty creation. Stefan is the chef and owner of the S&J Café at the Main Library and the S&J Bakery and Café at Findlay Market.

• Award-winning chef Jon V. Diebold will also be giving a Cajun seafood demonstration showcasing the techniques he uses as chef and owner of the Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant downtown.

Other highlights will include music performances by the Faux Frenchmen, the crowning of Fox19's Dan Wells and Katy Morgan as the Mardi Gras King & Queen, and displays of the Library’s popular cookbook collection. The Friends Shop on the Mezzanine joins in the Mardi Gras fun today. Receive a coupon worth 10-50% off your purchase of $10 or more! Choose from over 5,000 used books, greeting cards, scarves, jewelry, Cincinnati souvenirs, literary merchandise, and lots more.

Information: www.CincinnatiLibray.org or 513-369-6900.

Parking: Parking is available at Garfield Garage (only ½ block from the Main Library) and is just $2 all day on Saturdays.