Downtown Pullman is going to look a little bit more like New Orleans this weekend.

From Feb. 25 to March 2, Promote Pullman LLC is putting on “Mardi Gras Pullman Downtown Style” in partnership with several local businesses. 

Jandi Utzman, Promote Pullman LLC owner, said the event spans over the last days of Mardi Gras before Fat Tuesday. Several downtown businesses are handing out beads for participants to wear to different restaurants so they can receive discounts or enjoy different Mardi Gras-themed dishes and drinks. 

“We don’t do much in Pullman downtown in terms of fun stuff like that. The last event we did with her [Utzman] was Grinchmas, and it brought in a lot of customers for the businesses downtown,” said Manny Montelongo, owner of Manny’s Coffee House. 

The first 30 people who get receipts from eight different restaurants participating in the event will get a $5 gift card, Utzman said. 

On Saturday there will be live music at Pups and Cups Cafe from 3-4:30 p.m.  Utzman said there will also be live music at Manny’s Coffee House from 5-6:30 p.m.,  and a craft fair at Gifts on Grand from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The food of New Orleans will be center stage on Sunday. Pups and Cups will offer a special shrimp gumbo, Sanctuary Smoothies will have a glazed pecan waffle with maple and honey, Oak on Main is cooking up a Cajun shrimp linguine, Roost Café and Bakery will have Mardi Gras cupcakes and Timber Bar and Grill will have a Sunday Soul Food Plate.

Rico’s, Timber, Roost Café, Taqueria Chaparrito, Pups and Cups, Neill’s Coffee and Ice Cream and Thomas Hammer will all have different Mardi Gras-themed drinks as well.

Lumberyard will be hosting a Fat Tuesday Bash from 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. on March 2 for those 18 and older.

Montelongo said the event is a great way to promote different businesses in the downtown area. Downtown Pullman had this event last year, but due to the pandemic, there was not as much participation.

Many of the business owners that are participating expect to see more business from the event and are looking forward to regaining a sense of community that was lost during the pandemic.

“We did it last year and this is our second time. We wanted to bring some fun events downtown,” Utzman said.

Utzman said participants can pick up beads from one of the following stores: Sam Dial Jewelers, Sanctuary Smoothies, Pups, and Cups Café, Atom Heart Music and Michelle’s Closet.