During this period, the commercialization of Mardi Gras increases, as private and local businesses begin to promote their brand with the Mardi Gras cultural event. As a former New Orleans resident, Jason talks about his experience celebrating Mardi Gras at Soulard. In “The Commercialization of Mardi Gras,” Jason says, “As soon as you arrive in Soulard, you see hundreds of stands selling alcohol and food. Each of these stands is sponsored by a company. Some booths, like Captain Morgan's, will hand out free shirts with the Captain Morgan logo. Jason explains how businesses gain exposure through marketing to regional social events. At regional cultural events, companies regularly set up tents with their logo, attracting people to come and promoting their special features. (Jason) Jason goes on to say, “I had a pearl necklace with a Captain Morgan logo on it. on it, one with a McDonald's logo on it, one with a Bud Light Lime logo on it and one with a Smirnoff logo on it. (Jason) Jason explains that the clearest sign that Mardi Gras was commercialized was its bead collections at the end of the day. During Mardi Gras, beads are one of the most important and obvious symbols of Mardi Gras, and even these have been commercialized. The company did not leave a single part of Mardi Gras that was not