Hillsborough Holds Mardi Gras Celebration
By Alex Cabe

Mardi Gras isn't for New Orleans only – the holiday got off to an early start this weekend in Orange County.

The sounds of The Big Easy filled the streets of Hillsborough Friday as the Hillsborough Arts Council held its first Mardi Gras celebration.

Revelers ate red beans and rice and drank chicory, a hot drink similar to coffee, but the crowd favorite was the children's costume contest.

Many children made their own masks before the celebration. Blake Cambey helped his kids get ready for the contest.

“Any kids we can find, we dress 'em up and bring 'em on over,” Cambey said. “It's good for 'em. Good for everybody.”

After parading around downtown, a brass quintet of local musicians held a jazz jam session in the Masonic lodge. The party raised money for the arts in Orange County.