I love Mardi Gras, have been to N'Awlins 6 years running (don't go pulling out your videos to figure out which one is me - ha ha) I do, however, have boxes of beads and wish I could donate them to your not-for-profit for those always needed tax deductions. Sorry, they've been packed already.
How about. . . . Mardi Gras Madness
By the way, Accent Annex (
www.accentannex.com
) is the chain bead and supply store in New Orleans. I've been to the warehouse - WOW - who knew that there could be so many kinds of cheap trinkets?
By the way - when is the event? Throws from the floats usually include plastic cups, stuffed animals, and frisbees, also. At least those are the most kid-friendly ones. Do you have time to order these in quantity with the school mascot on them? Leftovers could be used for later functions or sold in the school store?
And for your cake walk - how about "King Cakes". You could even do this with cupcakes, just be sure everyone knows there is a baby baked into each one. Or bake it only into a few and the person who finds the baby gets an additional prize?
I could go on and on, here!