(Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

As brass horns blared and bass drums boomed, a lively crowd danced down Houston Street, bringing the spirit of New Orleans to Tyler on Fat Tuesday with a vibrant Second Line Parade.

“I love a good Second Line Parade,” paradegoer Evans Smith said. “I think it was an awesome turnout.”

The fourth annual parade was a lively celebration of culture and community. Stanley’s Famous Pit Barbecue has hosted the event for years, but in recent years, local nonprofit PATH has joined in with its Mardi Gras fundraiser.

“This is really the culmination of a month’s worth of fundraising that PATH has been doing with eight community members who make up our Mardi Gras court,” said Andrea Wilson-Lobaugh, executive director of PATH (People Attempting To Help). “We have four men and four women who have been raising money on behalf of PATH, and whoever raises the most is crowned king or queen of Mardi Gras.”

The 2025 Mardi Gras Court members are Dustin Becker, Henry Bell, Elena Gomez, Daniela Jackson, Casey Muze, Candace Polk, Nicole Robbins, and Alan Wharton.

The fundraiser was a peer-to-peer effort, allowing participants to reach out to friends, family, and colleagues for contributions. These efforts culminated in Becker being named King and Jackson being crowned Queen of the Mardi Gras fundraiser.

“They reach out to their circle for a good cause,” Wilson-Lobaugh said. “Someone was crowned winner, but at the end of the day, PATH wins, and the families we serve here in East Texas win because we’re able to help them.”

PATH is a Tyler-based nonprofit dedicated to restoring hope and providing resources to individuals and families facing hardship. Through various programs, including transitional housing, PATH empowers the community by offering housing assistance, food support, and other essential services to those in need.

“We want to shorten the line of need at our front door,” Wilson-Lobaugh said.

The event, according to Wilson-Lobaugh, was born from a collaboration between PATH’s development director and local community members. Stanley’s Famous Pit Barbecue then reached out, offering to sponsor the event, provide support, and help fundraise for the organization.

“PATH is such a great organization, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to get people involved and have fun while fundraising,” said Nick Pencis, co-owner of Stanley’s Famous Pit Barbecue. “We had a great turnout last year and raised $40,000. It’s very fun.”

The parade, which started at PATH’s headquarters on Front Street and made its way to Stanley’s at 525 S. Beckham Avenue, continued the festive tradition of Mardi Gras with music, movement and celebration. Members of the Texas College marching band kept the rhythm, and their lively tunes drew smiles and cheers from the crowd along the route.

“It was really cool to be at the intersection of Broadway and Houston where the traffic stopped and everybody was dancing and just having a great time,” Smith said.

A Second Line Parade is a traditional New Orleans procession featuring a brass band and dancing participants. The “first line” consists of the main group, often a social club or the family of the honoree, while the “second line” is made up of followers who join in, waving handkerchiefs or twirling parasols as they dance through the streets.

The second line was led by the Tidal Wave Brass Band, who traveled from from New Orleans, Louisiana. Trumpeter and New Orleans native John Perkins Jr leads the band, featuring Caleb “Shake” Windsay (Rebirth Brass Band) on Trombone, Morale Hoskins (Tidal Wave Brass Band) on Sousaphone, and Glen Finister Andrews (Preservation Hall Jazz Band) on drums. The Mississippi Bastard Project (also known as The Revelers Hall Band from Dallas) and other special guests, including Texas College band students, played in the parade.

The parade ended at Stanley’s, where the party continued through the evening.

According to Wilson-Lobaugh, over $63,000 was raised — well over the $50,000 goal. “It is so fantastic,” she said. “We are very excited and grateful.”

Smith shared his admiration for PATH’s impact on the community.

“I hope it continues to grow,” he said. “Tyler should continue supporting PATH and other organizations that bring hope and encouragement to our community.”

Stanley’s, a Tyler staple since 1958, is not only known for its barbecue but also for its philanthropic efforts in supporting local nonprofits and initiatives. Pencis believes everyone can contribute to making a difference.

“My wife Jen always says, ‘When you’re empowered, you extend your responsibility to empower.’ So that’s all we’re trying to do—just pass it along,” he said.

The restaurant has a roundup program, where customers can round up the total of their bill to donate a small amount to whichever nonprofit is the beneficiary of the program that month. While individual contributions may seem small, they add up over time. For the month of March, PATH is the recipient of these donations.

“You don’t have to be a wealthy philanthropist to lift this community up,” Pencis said. “You can just round up that 43 cents, and it really does work. So, to everyone who’s participating, thank you — you’re making this happen.”

Last year, the roundup program raised over $25,000, which was reinvested back into the community by benefiting local nonprofits.

For more information on how to support PATH, visit www.pathhelps.org. For more information on Stanley’s, visit www.stanelysfamous.com.