Pedestrians along the 700 block of Avenue F will notice a couple of new faces in front of the Community Thrift Store.

A couple of life-sized dolls, dressed up as country folk preparing for the Washington Parish Free Fair, are seated in front of the store to help get customers into a fair state of mind.

Co-owners Marilyn Thornhill and Treasure Wallace said they have been dressing up the duo, named Ma and Pa, each season since last Christmas. The new tradition was born of a need to use an old wheelchair someone dropped off at the thrift store.

“Nobody wanted to buy the wheelchair, and so we decorate it for the season,” Thornhill said.

Ma is seated in the unwanted chair while Pa is on a chair beside her.

So far the duo have been dressed up for Christmas, Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day and Easter. This is the first fair the two have celebrated.

“It’s a way of letting people know we’re open for business by putting them out there,” Wallace said.