NEW ORLEANS — Carnival season is so close, you can almost taste the king cake. Carnival kicks off Saturday so rides are stocking up on throws and revelers are loading their carts with all things purple and green.
"The last few days you can really start to feel everybody is getting excited," Alyssa Fletchinger Higgins, Vice President of Plush Appeal said.
While the season is fun, it can be pretty expensive. Henry Smith Jr, captain of the new Mystic Krewe of Music, said getting the Westbank parade ready hasn't been easy, or cheap.
"It has been a challenge," Smith Jr. said. "You have to have a mind of I really want to do this, because you’re kind of throwing away a lot of money but at the same time you’re having fun."
The cost can add up. Krewes charge dues, many have additional events and of course the throws. Some throw packages can cost upwards of $900, but stores like Plush Appeal say they offer options like layaway to help riders and parade goers budget.
"We see people start doing layaway early summer or spring for the following year just so they can help offset and put some money aside and pay on it before they go and get it before they ride," Higgins said.
Smith Jr. said those options have been a big help.
"Coming out of Christmas and New Year's and starting all over again we try to encourage and let them know this is the price to ride but budgeting for throws and stuff can run you this amount of money, so we just suggest layaway and go pay $50 every week or whatever you can pay each week to make sure you can ride," Smith Jr. said.
Plus, he adds, community goes a long way.
"We have people say I can help pay their bill, we have that type of community who says I’ll pay $10 or $50 to help them," he said.
And there's something for everyone.
"We’ve got over 8,500 different skews in the store so we try to make it so you can find what you’re looking for a fit it in your budget," Higgins said.
The Mystic Krewe of Music rolls Monday, February 5 at 6 p.m. on the Westbank starting at Westwood and Lapalco.