You may think of it as a day to party...but it's much more than that.

Today (February 28) marks Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday in the Christian Calendar. 

Grand Knight with Airdrie's Knights of Columbus, Mike Curtis explains the importance of the day.

"Traditionally in Christian and other denominations, we believe it as the last day of feasting before the 40 days of lent begins which is Ash Wednesday."

Curtis and the Knights took part in the celebrations by providing a pancake brunch to students and staff at St. Martin De Porres High School.

The event fed over 450 people in less than 15 minutes.

But when all the feasting is done, the focus turns to Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.

"A lot of people think of it as 'it's that time we have to give something up'," says Curtis, "really it's just about preparing oneself for Easter and understanding that, you know what, we are pretty well off."

Lent will run from March 1st till the start of Easter Weekend on April 14th

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