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Thursday, Mar 8, 2012 10:27 PM UTC

Mardi Gras Museum’s Glitz, Glamor Auctioned Off

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Topics: From the Wires,

KENNER, La. (AP) — The good times have turned to hard times for the Mardi Gras Museum near New Orleans.

Glitzy baubles of Carnival history were auctioned off Thursday as the museum liquidated its collection of crowns, scepters, capes and costumes of kings and queens, and the jewels and coins they tossed to their eager subjects.

The museum closed after attendance declined and public funds dried up in the recession. It opened in 1992 in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner.

Bidder Karen King said it was sad to see all the colorful costumes and trinkets go, but at least people who wanted them had a shot to buy them.

Louisiana state officials say that more museums could be closed under a proposed budget plan, leaving only the largest two out of 17 open.

More Mary Foster.

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