When Walter Snyder wades into the brisk waters of the Chattahoochee River on Saturday, Feb. 11, the 76-year-old will be one of the oldest to celebrate Fasching in Helen this year.

Frosty floaters will take to the Chattahoochee River for the Marti Gras-style festival, which stems from an annual event in Germany. Saturday’s event begins at 1 p.m. with a sidewalk parade as participants dress in costumes march from the Helendorf River Inn, Suites and Conference Center, 33 Munich Strasse, Helen, to the Chattahoochee River. “Schnapps stops” are made along the way for revelers age 21 and older.

The parade ends with participants hopping into inner tubes near the Riverbend Motel at 134 River St. and float down to the Helen Festhalle at 1074 Edelweiss Strasse.

Snyder will be joined by many friends and other revelers, including a 77-year-old woman.

“It’s a bunch of people getting together and having a lot of fun,” Snyder said.

Snyder and the Faschingsverein group organize the parade. In 2011, the organization started the event which has grown over the years. This year German residents are coming to Helen to float down the river, Snyder said.

Temperatures for the float are projected to be in the mid-50s. Snyder said it’s better to float when the temperature is lower, so the water feels warmer.

After floating down the river, the group hosts a Fasching party at 7 p.m. at the Helendorf River Inn, 33 Munich Strasse, in Helen.

Admission is $5. Participants are asked to bring their own beverage.

Proceeds go to fundraising efforts for Faschingsverein, which participates in the Oktoberfest and Christmas parades. The group uses the money to purchase Mardi Gras beads for parades.

Cool River Tubing provides the innertubes, Snyder said.

Faschingsverein is not the only group sponsoring events throughout February.

The Helen Huttengaudi, a pub crawl and scavenger hunt is set for Saturday, Feb. 4.

Participants receive a punch card and follow clues to answer questions at various Helen businesses.

Another Fasching party is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Old Heidelberg restaurant at 8660 N. Main St. It will feature music, games and food and drink for purchase.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/oldheidelberghelen or www.facebook.com/fvhelen.

The Helen Chamber of Commerce also will host a Bavarian-style Mardi Gras party from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, in Helen. It will include live German music and dancing. Costumes are welcome but not required.

For more information, visit helenchamber.com.

Closing out the month will be two nights of Fasching concerts. They are scheduled for Feb. 24 and 25 at the Old Heidelberg Restaurant.

For more information about the concerts visit www.chardonpolkaband.com or www.facebook.com/oldheidelberghelen.