Slide Show: Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

The music, cuisine and even the humidity of New Orleans were brought to the banks of the Peconic River Saturday afternoon for Riverhead’s first Mardi Gras Festival. The event kicked off with a parade down Main Street at noon and continued with more than a dozen acts on two stages — one in the riverfront parking lot and the other in Grangebel Park. The free concerts, sponsored by the Riverhead Business Improvement District, continued until 11 p.m.

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Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTOS | Pauline Sandmann, 80, of Riverside, has been clowning for 7 years.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Bob Stanevich of Aquebogue said he was 'just looking for a good time- a party. Riverhead is coming back to life.'

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

The Stilt Band.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

The Stilt Band.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Councilwoman Jodi Giglio and Councilman George Gabrielsen march in the parade.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Cathy Springer of Aquebogue walked with her dogs in the parade.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Dee Mum owner of the Dark Horse restaurant.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

News-Review employees Candice Shott and Joseph Tumminello represented the paper.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Shelter Island 1912 Ford.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Choo Choo the Clown.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Harry Wilkinson of Riverhead pedals his ice cream cart in the parade.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

The Jambalaya Brass Band of Brooklyn played in the parade.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Chrissy Lessard of Riverhead marches in the parade.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Patti Horton and Tom Pilz of Manorville drive her father's 1921 Model T Ford in the parade as she hands out beads.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Riverhead Ambulance Corp EMTs Brian Grattan (left) and Amit Patel ride in the parade.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Matthew Kringle of Riverhead, 11, rides the bicycle he made with his father out of two bike bodies.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Joe Velazquez of Calverton drives his tractor in the parade.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Musician Ken 'the Rocket' Korb of Medford rides in the back of the Long Island Blues Society's truck.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

The Jambalaya Brass Band of Brooklyn performed.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Kerrie Reardon of Wading River watched the parade from her parked car.

Riverhead Mardi Gras Fest

Heather Rios of Brentwood is originally from Louisiana and came to see the Mardi Gras parade with her husband Jonathan Rios and four-year-old son Reagan.