Inspired by the Mardi Gras flambeauxs he encountered in New Orleans in the 70’s during his residency at medical school, when Dr. William Gladney came back to his his hometown to pursue his medical career, he sought to inject a bit of New Orleans Mardi Gras into his Baton Rouge neighborhood. Dr. Gladney formed the Krewe of Southdowns, and in 1988, the Krewe of Southdowns Flambeaux Parade was born.