3/2/19 Rusk Hosts Mardi Gras Celebration by Jessica Payne

Cherokee volunteers of the Alamo Era Re-enactors honor Texas heroes at the first ever family-friendly Mardi Gras in Rusk. The event took place in downtown Rusk on Saturday, March 2 and included a King Cake competition, car show, live music, bounce house , face painting and more. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Lorinda Chancelor (left) and Oley Willis (right) of Kajun Roux Krew smile for a photo during the inaugural Rusk Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, March 2. The event took place in downtown Rusk and included a King Cake competition, car show, live music, bounce house , face painting and more. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Rusk Chamber of Commerce General Manager Tara Tatarski passes out beads at the inaugural Rusk Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, March 2. The event was hosted by the Chamber and included a King Cake competition, car show, live music, bounce house , face painting and more. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Chloey Baker (6) does crafts at the Rusk Mardi Gras Parade in downtown Rusk on Saturday, March 2. The event marked the first for Rusk and included the parade, gumbo contest and several family friendly activities. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

(From left to right) Jonathan Williams (18), Aidyn Pyle (8) and Matthew Pyle (27) stop for a photo while attending the Rusk Mardi Gras Parade in downtown Rusk on Saturday, March 2. The event marked the first for Rusk and included the parade, gumbo contest and several family friendly activities. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Families wave during the Rusk Mardi Gras Parade in downtown Rusk on Saturday, March 2. The event marked the first for Rusk and included the parade, gumbo contest and several family friendly activities. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Children from the Rusk Youth Sports Association ride in the inaugural Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, March 2. The event marked the first for Rusk and included the parade, gumbo contest and several family friendly activities. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Rusk held their first ever family-friendly Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, March 2. The event took place in downtown Rusk and included a King Cake competition, car show, live music, bounce house , face painting and more. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Children collect candy thrown during the inaugural Rusk Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, March 2. The event was hosted by the Chamber and included a King Cake competition, car show, live music, bounce house , face painting and more. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Shelia Womack and her beaded dog Draco stop for a photo at the inaugural Rusk Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, March 2. The event was hosted by the Chamber and included a King Cake competition, car show, live music, bounce house , face painting and more. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)