Gulf Coast Prepares for Mardi Gras in Tough Economic Times

It’s Mardi Gras season once again and it’s a big deal on the Gulf Coast. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports that even the poor economy may not rain on the parade.

Nancy Rogers with the Gulf Coast Carnival Association is sitting at her desk sorting through float applications.

“Jan 2nd things start happening very quickly. I’ve had phone calls all morning. Send me an application, send me a membership form, send me, I want to do this, how can I be involved what is your website, when is the parade”.

Mardi Gras is a big deal on the Coast, with hundreds of parties, parades, and balls—and even in the middle of this economic crisis, Nancy Rogers says things seem to be right on track.

“Even with the economy I do not think the economy is going to affect this. If they can do it after Katrina when nobody had anything, I don’t think the economy is going to stop them”.

It’s not just people on the Coast who celebrate though. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that over 450,000 people came for Mardi Gras last year, having a direct impact on local businesses and hotels. And while the economy is in bad shape this year, the Gulf Coast has one big thing going for it. It is mainly a drive in market. Which means that the lower gas prices could keep just as many people visiting this year. And unlike other markets, the Gulf Coast doesn’t have minimum night hotel stays, allowing people to make the trip more affordably says Linda Hornsby, executive director of the Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association.

“And I think people will continue, especially one and two day celebrations, one and two day events, people will continue to do those things. I think people need to be with people. So events like Mardi Gras, reunions, things like that just help them be in touch with each other whether it is to commiserate or forget. They enjoy being with each other”.

“We have a saying here if it don’t shine it ain’t mine cause that’s basically what Mardi Gras is, it’s bling and glitz. You know it’s not street wear”.

Josette Locklar owner of Josette’s Costumes in Biloxi is standing in a room surrounded by mantles and ten foot long tranes covered in beads and feathers.

“And very often this will have a theme on the train. That’s Cinderella on that one”.

She says one third of her business is for Mardi Gras and she is just hoping for the best this year.

“Mardi Gras is the biggest free show on earth. There’s always going to be a Mardi Gras there was when this was founded. D’Iberville had a Mardi Gras his first year here 1699. So if it was going good in 1699. It survived the depression. I don’t know what to say I’m going to have to wait and see like the rest of the country”.

It’s still too early to gauge exactly what affect the economy will have on this year’s Mardi Gras; Josette says that’s the 64,000 dollar question. But for the meantime the Gulf Coast is gearing up to have just as big a celebration as ever. For MPB News, I’m Phoebe Judge in Gulfport.