by Ruth Anne Nimmer
Mardi Gras was celebrated in Trojan Arena before the men’s basketball game Saturday. The event, which was put on by Troy’s Athletic Department, allowed students to celebrate with food and festivities before the game.
Stephen Brown, the Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Fan Engagement, stated that attendance was up significantly from the previous years.
“The fans were really excited and there was even a rush at the door,” Brown said.
Everyone was greeted by the vendors with a smile and more food than their plates could fill, ranging from jalapeño poppers to king cake.
Sarah Mayes, a sophomore biomedical sciences major from Huntsville, Alabama, said she appreciated the event.
“I didn’t really know much about Mardi Gras, being from the north part of the state,” Mayes said. “But having come to Troy, I’ve met so many people from Mobile, and the fact that Troy is making an effort to be apart of that culture is really cool even if I can’t go to Mobile or New Orleans.”
Hayden Brown, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Pensacola, Florida, and a graduate assistant for Facilities and Event Management for Troy Athletics, said his portion of the staff was responsible for setting up tables, blocking off the area and making sure that things ran smoothly for the staff and fans.
“I think it’s super cool to see the Troy community come together in a way where we can all talk and kinda communicate to each other about the town,” Brown said. “It’s just cool to see that whether you help in a big or small way.”
Brown said there was a considerable amount of behind-the-scenes work with getting sponsors and staying true to the Mardi Gras theme. Troy’s Marketing and Event Management teams reached out to area businesses to come together to make enough food to feed 1,000 people.
Dominos, Publix, Jersey Mike’s, Jambalaya Girl, W Walnut Cookie Co., Monster, and The Confucius Institute were among the participating businesses.
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