Thibodaux resident Mallorie Shields pushed a shopping cart filled with Mardi Gras supplies through the ornate aisles of Cajun Enterprises Saturday.
With Carnival around the corner, Shields was stocking up on her Mardi Gras must-haves in preparation for the Krewe of Ambrosia parade in Thibodaux.
“We don’t do too many beads anymore,” Shields said. “We mainly do toys, plush and stuff like that for the kids.”
Shoppers lugged bags overflowing with miniature footballs, stuffed animals, beads and other novelties to their cars.
For Cajun Enterprises co-owner Karen Chisholm, ‘tis the season for crunch time. The Houma-based store has provided Mardi Gras float riders with throws and necessities for more than 30 years.
“I just think Mardi Gras is a time where people can let loose,” Chisholm said. “Lots of people ride in the parades with family and friends, so it’s a time to get together as a family. It’s about putting smiles on kids’ faces and seeing them light up.”
Nothing lights up a child’s face more than a glowing plastic sword, Chisholm said.
“People who ride at night love the light-up stuff,” she said. “This year we have some really cool light-ups beads. Those are always a lot of fun. We’ve also got light-up swords, light-up swivels and we have a light-up paratrooper that you can throw off the top of the float so they can float down over the crowd. Anything that moves or makes noise is also really popular.”
Some float riders like to put on their Drew Brees impression by throwing footballs over the crowd, Chisholm said.
“Footballs are always a big deal,” she said. “Guys like to test their skill level and see how far they can throw them.”
Krewe members spend between $200 and $600 on Mardi Gras items on an average visit, Chisholm said.
The Mardi Gras Beads Factory in Houma is also not seeing a high demand for beads as much as other novelties this year.
“People aren’t buying as much beads as they usually do,” said Tasha Boudreaux, a sales associate at the Mardi Gras Beads Factory. “They’re mostly buying footballs, light-ups and stuffed animals. The men especially like the footballs.”
Despite the sluggish economy due to the downturn in the oilfield, Chisholm has seen an uptick in sales this year accompanied by a sense of renewed optimism.
“Things may be looking up,” she said. “The price for oil is rising and I think Houma is ready to come back. It’s going to be a good year. There seems to be more energy this year.”
Houma resident Graham Caldarera stopped by the store Saturday to find a bow for his Christmas wreath.
“I have a wreath and wanted to do something different with it,” Caldarera said. “I also just like to look around. If I see something I like I’ll get it. I enjoy the parades and being with friends and family.”
Unlike in other states, the holidays don’t end in Louisiana after New Year’s Day. They just evolve. Christmas trees become Mardi Gras trees, holiday wreaths become Mardi Gras wreathes and fruit cakes become king cakes.
“Sometimes holidays are stressful, so Mardi Gras is the opposite of that,” Chisholm said. “It’s a time just to have fun.”
Although the trends may change the spirit of Mardi Gras remains the same.
“It’s just a Louisiana thing,” Boudreaux said. “It’s something we can call our own.”
--Staff Writer Dan Copp can be reached at 857-2202 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter@DanVCopp.