Mardi Gras celebrations across the world yesterday had revelers imbibing before the fasting Lent season. In Snowmass Village, hundreds gathered on the mall for annual traditions like a “bead toss” and a parade. The event may not rise to the level of New Orleans frenzy, but there’s no denying it’s a party.
It’s 3 o’clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday and these town government staffers aren’t at their desks. Instead, they’re tossing beads to a crowd below.
The tradition is 33 years old and is put on by the Snowmass Tourism Office.
"This event has a life of its own. It’s controlled chaos," says David Elkan, an organizer.
He says the hours-long event that stretches late into the night draws thousands of revelers.
"This event is about the people. They dress up, they get involved and engaged and that’s why this event is so different. Mardi Gras is like that across the country and that’s what makes it special."
After the bead toss, a parade with four or five floats moves from one end of the Snowmass Mall to the other.
The Daniels family from Louisiana is adding final touches to their float prior to the parade. Murray Daniels is leading the charge.
"This year’s theme was a Snow Mardi Party. So, our float is called "Think Snowmass" because we had so little snow earlier in the year," he says.
Daniels moved from New Orleans to Carbondale years ago. He’s trying to infuse southern tradition into the Roaring Fork Valley.
"I started a Mardi Gras event four years ago in Carbondale and it’s starting to grow into something big. But Snowmass is the big draw in the entire Valley because it’s an international crowd."
Daniels and his team are dressed as snowflakes. They take their cue and move onto the parade route.
Carbondale resident Mia McMahon brought her three-year-old daughter, husband and mother-in-law to the parade. For her, Mardi Gras in Snowmass holds significance.
"I met my husband at Mardi Gras in Snowmass," she says.
She likes the community feel of the event.
"I think it’s just fun. The kids love it and we skied during the day. The parade is a lot of fun."
Across the mall is nine-year-old Mia Diment. She’s wearing several colorful bead necklaces.
Reporter: "What’s so fun about this?"
Mia: "Catching the beads when they throw them and mixing the beads you get."
Her mother, MalaneyDiment, says they’re here from Seattle, on a ski vacation.
"We’ve never been here before. It’s our first time and it’s good fun. My son finished his ski lesson and was a bit tired until he got here and now he’s chasing the beads!"
Though the crowd seems large, former mayor Bill Boineau says this event has had its ups and downs.
"The last few years it seems like it has fallen off a little bit, maybe because they have other things to do. But, it’s always been fun," he says.
Even if the crowds are a bit thinner and the excitement slightly tamer than previous years, the atmosphere is light and convivial. After the parade wraps up, the crowds prepare for live music, fireworks and an evening of letting loose.