NATCHEZ — The main attraction at the Holy Family Carnival wasn’t the ring toss, soul music or the spaghetti, it was two four-legged creatures with long tails and shiny manes.

Herds of children waited in line with a handful of tickets to ride Starburst and Daisy, two gleaming horses who carried children one lap at a time around the yard behind Holy Family.

Cousins Brooke Baldwin, 5, and Brian Johnson II, 2, squealed with delight and they were set atop Starburst to take their turn on the brown and white horse.

Baldwin said taking a ride on the horses was her favorite part of the carnival.

“I’m glad we rode them,” she said.

Johnson’s mother, BreeAnna Walker, said she was glad to see her son and Baldwin enjoying the horses.

“The horses were definitely their favorite thing, I’m glad they’re enjoying themselves,” she said.

Tiffany Woods waved to her 3-year-old daughter Destinee as she took her spot on top of Daisy. Woods said the carnival allowed her daughter to have fun interacting with the other children.

“At the carnival, she is able to fellowship with the other kids,” she said.

Bringing everyone together as one big family is what the Holy Family Carnival is all about, chairperson Faye Barnes said.

Barnes, who is in her 25th year with the carnival, said the church’s fundraising carnival brings people back every year.

“I’ve seen kids today who went to school here years ago, and they’re back again for the fun,” she said.

“It’s brings everyone back together as a family to just enjoy the music, food, games and have a good time,” she said.