Event brings Bourbon Street to USU
Students planning on attending USU’s Mardi Gras Celebration Feb. 11 can expect to experience the real feel of Bourbon Street, New Orleans, versus the event’s usual carnival theme, said Zach Larsen, Programming vice president.
“This year we want to make it feel like you’re actually in a casino, or you’re actually walking down Bourbon Street, or you’re actually in the place that we’re trying to recreate,” Larsen said. “We want to give it that sense of reality. You’re not at a party, you’re actually there. That’s sort of our vision.”
Kellen Hansen, USU Activities director, said beside the shift from the carnival theme to the Bourbon Street feel, there are few changes this year compared to changes made last year, but students may appreciate a few of the adjustments.
The event this year will cost about the same as last year and that the university is actually spending under budget. According to Hansen and Kevin Webb, USU program coordinator, last year the university spent close to $25,000 on Mardi Gras festivities. That number is lower this year, Hansen said.
Hansen said the event usually attracts a crowd of almost 3,000, though its popularity grows every year. He said he hopes the attendance will jump to 3,500 this year.
“This is much more of a student-geared event, as opposed to the Howl,” Hansen said. “That’s why it’s so much cheaper. In fact, a lot of people complain because we use student fee money to put on the events and then they have to pay to get into them. The Howl actually pays for all of these other events.”
A $5 ticket for the Mardis Gras Celebration can be purchased at the TSC Card Office. Students who attend can have their fortunes told by tarot card readers, have their faces painted, have access to an oxygen bar and attend a dance with music by DJ Marcus Wing. There will also be two magician shows and the annual event’s regular casino games, Hansen said.
The festivities will run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., and the casino will be moved to the Fieldhouse where professional dealers from Wasatch Casino Party will run the tables, rather than students.
Hansen said he feels it is a bonus to have dealers, so students don’t have to teach themselves how to do the job.
“We’ll see it if it was worth the money or not when it comes down to it,” Hansen said. “I think it will be for those that go and enjoy the casino, but we’ll see.”
Larsen said a local jazz band will play at the casino, and a French horn quartet and marching bands will play music throughout the TSC.
The decorations, specifically in the Fieldhouse, are new this year, Larsen said.
“I don’t want to give away too much, but it will look really neat — give it a cool atmosphere,” he said.
On Feb. 10 at noon, a parade will be held in the Hub to promote the event. Hansen said students can dress as a parade float or Mardi Gras character, spending no more than $20 on their costume, for a chance to win prizes from Dining Services. The first 10 students to register will win $10 gift cards to any dining service. Another prize is a 25-block meal plan card, estimated to be worth $170, Hansen said. Students must register for the contest by sending an email to kellen.hansen@gmail.com.
“Obviously, our job here is to plan fun activities for students,” Larsen said. “If students come and they have a good time, then I’m happy. That’s our job.”
Those who are not students are encouraged to attend the event, though they will have to pay $10 at the door and show identification to prove their age, Hansen said.
– ariwrees@gmail.com