COLUMBIA, S.C. – Weeks after the founder of Columbia’s storied Mardi Gras celebration died, the 14th annual festival kicked off in his honor. Saturday was a day of celebration and remembrance. City Roots and other local businesses hosted the festival, drawing hundreds of families from across Columbia. But this one was a little different for co-founder Kristian Niemi. Just weeks ago, Tom Hall, the driving force behind Columbia’s Mardi Gras festival, died.