Deadwood Mardi Gras Celebration
Local News
by
Justin Wickersham
last edited on
Saturday, February 06, 2010
It’s nothing like New Orleans, but for years Deadwood has been promoting Mardi Gras as a fun and close get away.
Hotels and casinos decorate in traditional purple and gold to bring the festive tradition alive.
The Deadwood Chamber hosts a Cajun cook-off competition, and you can find alligator, frog legs, and other southern delicacy.
But it's not just about the fun; the Mardi Gras King says this event helps boost the local economy during the off season.
“Mardi Gras for the town brings in all kinds of business it helps the economy. It helps everything go on. The hotels get packed, brings in a lot of people for the bars, the casinos. It helps the whole area really," says the King of Mardi Gras, John Bonnett.
Business owners in Deadwood say events like Mardi Gras are a good opportunity to get more people out and spending money during the slow season.
Here’s what some Mardi Gras goers said:
“Get away for awhile, get away from this snowy, wintery weather that we're having.”
“Had some friends that have come up here for the last 10 years and said we need to come with them."
“We're partying. We came up for a good time. Let things hang loose."
Deadwood Hotel managers say rooms have been booked for this weekend which is a good economic boost during the winter.