Many people may not know, but French explorers and colonists were the first Europeans to explore the area we now come to call home.

They came up the Alabama River from the Gulf of Mexico decades before the state would be settled from the West.

In 1732, these explorers recorded the site of present-day Selma as Ecor Bienville. This was almost a century before Selma was incorporated in 1820.

We write this mini history level to show that Selma has a unique history that many others places can’t lay claim to.

We thought last year that the city of Selma’s and the Downtown Selma Association’s Mardi Gras celebration was a family-friendly way to harken back to this French connection and bring people downtown.

We’re glad to see this event return in 2016 and hope people will support the event. It’s nothing like events in New Orleans and is fun for all ages.

The celebrations kick off Friday with a masquerade ball at 7 p.m. at the George P. Evans Reception Hall. Tickets are $20 and available at Selma City Hall. The parade will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. with a street festival to follow in front of the St. James Hotel.