Mardi+Gras+Beads

Mardi Gras means many different things to different people, but one thing that is incorporated with almost every Mardi Gras celebration is beads.



Mardi Gras beads come in every size, shape, and color.

But how did this tradition come to be? Mardi Gras beads are relatively new, considering the first parade took place in the 1830s, it wasn't until the Rex parade threw handmade glass necklaces in the 1920s that this tradition was born. Float riders stopped throwing glass beads because people were injured with broken glass. Now they throw plastic beads.



A famous phrase that you will hear during Mardi Gras is "Throw me something, Mister! " Parade goers yell this to get the attention of the float riders so they will throw some of the precious trinkets.



Beads are not the only trinkets thrown at Mardi Gras parades. Some of the other trinkets that are thrown at parades are frisbees, plastic cups,stuffed animals, and doubloons.