New South Style #4: Mardi Gras Throws
It can be argued that most people’s favorite part of a Mardi Gras parade is the array of lagniappe thrown into the crowd for free. Best of all, these parade “throws” (as locals call them) are great for both adults and kids! Let’s take a look at some of these treats!
Mardi Gras Beads
The practice of throwing trinkets into the crowd began in the 1870’s by the Twelfth Night Revelers Krewe and has only grown ever since! The practice of throwing beads did not come about until the 1920’s when the Krewe of Rex began to throw handmade glass bead necklaces during their parades (source – www.mardigrasday.com). You can still find some of these Mardi Gras classics for sale in antique store throughout New Orleans.
Not in town? Check out these glass beads from Etsy!
Image source: Source link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/75499894/spectrum-vintage-czech-glass-mardi-gras
Image source: Source link: http://etsy.me/2l9ehLb
Doubloons
Another popular throw is a krewe doubloon, a small round medallion made of metal that usually has the krewe’s crest on one side and the theme of the parade depicted on the other side. There are many people who even collect Mardi Gras doubloons!
Image source: http://www.cointradingpost.com/Mardigras/E/Endymion/2011/Endymion2011.html
Image source: http://www.cointradingpost.com/Mardigras/E/Endymion/1983/Endymion1983fs.JPG
Mardi Gras Cups
Today, plastic Mardi Gras cups are a popular throw as these can be used year-round as to-go cups. These cups feature the Krewe’s crest and (usually) the theme for the year or the celebrity grand Marshall of the parade.
Image source: http://www.ebay.com/itm/034-NORMAN-REEDUS-034-Mardi-Gras-Endymion-2014-Celebrity-Cup-Walking-Dead-Daryl-Dixon-/201050478676
Coconuts- yes, REAL ones
There are several krewes that are best known for their exclusive throws that can only be caught at their parades. Here are a few.
Krewe of Zulu parade – people clamor to get to the front of the crowd for a Zulu coconut. These real coconut throws made their appearance in 1910 with no form of decoration. The coconuts were used as an alternative solution because the krewe could not afford the beads to throw. Today, the coconuts are shaved, cored, and emptied so that they are ready to be painted onto. Each rider is allowed to hand out between 100-200 coconuts each year from their float (http://www.wdsu.com/article/zulu-coconuts-have-quite-the-storied-history/3369297).
Image source: http://creoleindc.typepad.com/rantings_of_a_creole_prin/2012/02/2012-zulu-coconut.html
Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/226305949999921841/
Power Pumps
Krewe of Muses parade – The Muses began parading in 2001 and is named for the daughters of the Greek god, Zeus. It is also is one of the few all-female krewes, so it is fitting that their exclusive throw be a decorated shoe! The shoes are highly coveted by the crowd as they are carefully handed down from the riders on the floats. They usually come wrapped in a clear cellophane bag to preserve the glitter adornments. Each rider (out of around 1000) is allowed 30 shoes to hand out.
Image source: http://glitteringshoes.blogspot.com/2014_07_01_archive.html
Image source: http://kreweofmuses.org/shoes/
One of my favorite parades for interesting throws is the truck parade, Krewe of Elks. The parade is known as the truck parade because all of the floats are constructed onto trucks as opposed to the traditional floats. The truck parade has no central theme and each truck is decorated by a smaller krewe with its own specific title and theme. There are 3500-4000 riders on 120 trucks for this parade and the throws can vary as greatly as the truck themes and decorations! Examples of their throws include stuffed animals, garters, plastic toys, and, of course, beads of all shapes, colors, and sizes!
No matter what you catch, remember to stay safe and have fun!
