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Community Corner

PHOTOS: Riverhead's First Mardi Gras Festival

Hosted by Riverhead Business Improvement District, the downtown festival and parade were a hit.

Hundreds of people flocked to Riverhead's riverfront on Saturday for the town's first, and much-anticipated, . Despite the heat, crowds turned out for great music, food and times with friends.

The schedule of events kicked off at noon with a parade through downtown Riverhead. The parade began at the  on West Main Street and headed East on Main Street to Mcdermott Avenue ending at the riverfront.  

The music and shows began at 1 p.m. with a full line up of events scheduled on two stages. The main stage was located on the riverfront and hosted such acts as the Tommy Keys Band, Jambalaya Brass Band, Lost Bayou Ramblers and Who Dat Loungers. 

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The second stage located in Grangebel Park was geared toward families and the younger audience, and hosted a lineup including Cardone the magician, Goat in the Boat Puppet Theatre and a stilt-walker act.  

Even with the crowds who stayed for the concerts and shows, there was no shortage of food for everyone. Local concessions were set up to serve festival favorites such as dirty rice and beans, jambalaya, and Cajun shrimp. There were also a variety of goods for sale, such as jewelry, candles, antiques and clothing. 

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The festival wrapped for the evening at 11 p.m. on the main stage with Dikki Du and His Zydeco Crewe and ended at 7 p.m. on the second stage with The Buzzards.

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