ERWINVILLE - A rich history was brought back to life this Fat Tuesday with a traditional Mardi Gras celebration.

It's been 16 years since the small town had a parade, and the younger generation was now able to enjoy the parade their families had always attended.

The parade started in the 1940's, and it was all done by horse. 

“Because that's our community, we're all about horses. It started with horses, way back. way back in the 1940's they would ride their horses from Alma Plantation, all the way down Flynn Road to Schooners," the parade committee said.

Kevin Brooks calls himself the queen of this Mardi Gras parade. He came home to Erwinville from Nebraska to pick up right where he left off. 

"I'm the queen of the Mardi Gras, I lead Mardi Gras every year, I've been doing it for 45 years and I like it a lot," Brooks said.

Another family tradition comes from the Neal Family Blues. They've had their land on Flynn Road since the parade began, and the musically talented family came back together to celebrate. 

"When they said they were bringing it back, I was all happy because I was in the last parade and we come here every year just to party. There wasn't a parade, so this year we all wanted to be a part of it," Larry Neal said.

Louisiana Music Hall Of Famer and blues legend Kenny Neal was there too, and he said the parade will just keep getting better.

“Riding through the parade, I didn't think they would remember my face but they were like, 'hey Kenny!' hey Kenny!', it's just wonderful and I'm looking forward to next year, I'm going to get a float and perform," Kenny Neal said.