Mardi Gras Parade Throws

There is a long history to Mardi Gras parade throws. There are a million things that get thrown from parade floats during Mardi Gras. Beads is just one of many. But, what many non locals don't realize, is that there are coveted items that krewes throw. In addition to the millions of other trinkets, most krewes have a specialty item. They craft these items or have them made. These items are a highly coveted, prized item, that many locals try to score during Mardi Gras. We treasure them. They go out on our mantles, shelves & bookcases as Mardi Gras decorations each year thereafter. Read about the history of parade throws here...

"When did the throwing start?

The tradition of “throwing” trinkets and treats to a mass of revelers predates Carnival itself. The ancient Romans distributed whips made of goat hide—and playful whippings—to the frolicking crowds at the conclusion of Lupercalia, the early forerunner to the Carnival celebration we know today. These annual rites of purification and fertility were associated with the vernal equinox that marked the return of the sun. In medieval France, the fête de la quémande saw groups of peasants emerging from the dark winter, donning miters and pointed hats to mock the wealthy classes, and begging and dancing for items to eat. That tradition continues today with the Cajun courir de Mardi Gras.

The first reports of items being thrown as part of the official parades we know today came in the early 1870s with the second procession of the Twelfth Night Revelers, according to Carnival historian Errol Laborde. Following their “Mother Goose’s Tea Party”–themed parade, a costumed Santa distributed gifts from his bag. 

Rex: the bringer of beads and doubloons

In the early 20th century, the Rex Organization began the tradition of tossing throws to the crowd from each float. Strings of hand-strung glass beads quickly became the desired souvenir. According to a master’s thesis written by the late Lissa Capo, who was HNOC’s in-house expert on Carnival throws, the earliest surviving examples are Japanese mercury glass beads, made during WWII.

Czechoslovakian crystals were in vogue next, through the 1960s, when they were superseded by hand-strung plastic necklaces. With the arrival of plastic beads molded directly onto polyester strings, the throws became bigger, longer, showier, and more customizable to each krewe. Abundant strings of oversized beads became the new gold standard, beloved by viewers. And the krewes responded, throwing more and more—and more. 

Anodized aluminum coins, known as doubloons, debuted with Rex in 1960, surprising the crowds and becoming a coveted commodity. Many collectors remember the method of securing a doubloon thrown from a float: quickly covering the doubloon with one’s foot and then retrieving the coin.

According to Judy Walker of the Times-Picayune, the introduction of plastic cups in the early 1980s marked the decline of interest in doubloons. More recently, all things battery-powered have become all the rage, with each year bringing new variations—blinking necklaces, light-up medallions, and flashing rings. Today, the parade route glows with the lights after the last float has passed.

Watch your head and click your heels

The early 20th century marked the arrival of painted walnuts and, later, painted coconuts from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. Today the painted, glittered, and feathered coconuts are passionately sought—something of a holy grail for even experienced parade-goers.

The Zulu coconut influenced other krewes and walking clubs to create their own signature throws aside from doubloons. In 2001, a member in the Krewe of Muses—using the Zulu coconut as inspiration—introduced their tradition of presenting glittered, decorated high-heeled shoes as the prized throw of their parade. Each one is intended to be a unique work of art for the lucky recipient.

Other krewes have thrown bedazzled oyster shells, brassieres, wine corks, goblets, grails, eyeglasses, toilet scrubbers, eggs, and more. There seems to be little a Carnival-loving New Orleanian won’t encrust with glitter! And, on the receiving end, there’s little a dedicated parade-goer won’t do to secure one of these treasures—screaming, dancing, and making a general fool of one’s self. Such is the magic of the season." ~per The Historic New Orleans Collection

So now that you know the history & that there are highly coveted throws that you should be looking for, it's time to get on out there & try to score some!!! These are lavishly decorated & painted items!!!

A few to keep an eye out for...

Zulu: coconuts

Muses: shoes

Iris: glasses

Tucks: plungers

Carrollton: shrimp boots

Alla: genie lamps

King Arthur: holy grails (goblet cups)

and MANY more!!! Glass beads are a treasured item, that is rare to score these days, as well! Have fun out there trying to score one, or more of these items!!!

***CHECK OUT OUR EVENT PAGE FOR ALL OF THE MARDI GRAS PARADES & STOP IN OUR OFFICE TO BOOK OUR SHUTTLE TO MANY OF THEM!!!***

***PICTURED ABOVE ARE TWO OF OUR COVETED ITEMS IN OUR COLLECTION; A SHOE & GLASS BEADS!!!***