Selma hosts Mardi Gras event downtown on Saturday

Beignets, brass, beads and moon pies! And the Mardi Gras-themed Second Line event was right here in Selma, Alabama, in The District, downtown Water Avenue on Saturday. 

Not everyone gets to travel to festivals throughout the year, so Jackie Smith, owner of Reflections Coffee Shoppe, made it the business of her and her team to bring big city fun to her small hometown with the big heart. 

"I love Selma," she said with a big smile. "As long as we have the interest and support, we will continue to bring quality events to the Arts & Entertainment District."

The Coalition of Concerned Families had a "Moon Pie Table" set up. On the table was the "Question of the Day" -- What type of quality events would you like to participate in, here in the Entertainment District? Festivalgoers were asked to respond to the question in writing and take a moon pie before leaving. Some moon pies were tossed, others remained on the table until the young person staring in wonder of what it was and what it tasted like took it out of curiosity. 

Helene Towns, a local real estate agent, in all of her excitement to catch a pie, placed a string of green beads over her head and said, "I got me a moon pie. I'm at Mardi Gras now!" 

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One survey card read that the person wanted to see more youth involvement and empowerment events, women's self-care, throwback events, more events year-round and multiple days of festivities.

The festival began with the community coming downtown, fellowshipping, donning themselves with Mardi Gras items like masks, necklaces, whistles and scarves from the setup sponsored by the City of Selma and supporting local vendors. 

Robert Childers, owner of Southern Groove, a traveling restaurant via food truck, organized this Food Truck Saturday on Vendors Row. Supporting this was his truck, Southern Groove, Selma Housing Authority, Uncle Clyde's BBQ and, of course, the host truck, Reflections Coffee Shoppe.

Midway through all of the fun and excitement, the Selma High School Marching Band took things up a notch. They were behind the sponsors in the parade and the second line behind them included young children who mimicked the band, high stepping, blowing whistles and playing pretend instruments. The adults swayed their colorful scarves and danced to the upbeat jazz sound from the Band of Blue. When the band returned, the dancing continued on with line dance music by DJ Mackavelli, and a small child yelled, "I wanna do this one more time, please!"

It was the inaugural Mardi Gras in The District. Teenagers discovered moon pies. Small children learned about the second line. Adults helped carry out the atmosphere that they know and love but no longer have to travel to receive. It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.