Mardi Graspage 4 / 5
“Throw Me Something, Mister!”
The parades are the highlight for many Mardi Gras spectators. Masked float riders offer Mardi Gras “throws”—usually beads, cups, and doubloons to spectators. The beads vary in size and shape but normally feature the colors or Mardi Gras: purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power. Doubloons are aluminum coins that depict the theme of the parade on one side and the name of the krewe on the other side. This time honored tradition began in 1884 when the Krewe of Rex threw medallions, commemorative coins which later became doubloons. Spectators make a sport out of collecting throws from each krewe and shout, “Throw me something, Mister!”
Doubloon
If you plan to get in on the fun, make sure you brush up on your piñata skills. Hustling for throws on the ground or catching beads and cups in mid-air is not much different from diving for candy from a just-cracked piñata!