Throw
me something Mister!!!
Mardi
Gras is very special with it's own music, food, and traditions. One of
the most special traditions is the throwing of beads from floats in
the parades.
Many
people don't realize the variety of items that the float riders carry
and throw.
Bobble Heads have become very popular and
many of the Krewes
are producing them. This incredible collection belongs to
Amberle of MardiGras .Org
Bead
Catching Tips:
1.
Make eye contact!!! The floats often move by very fast and the riders
are masked. Try to catch the attention of the riders and you will
often be rewarded with their special throws. Anything that draws
attention; weird hat/wig, blinking beads, funny sign, etc. is worth the
effort. Great signs include: "You can't throw this far",
"I came all the way from Bosnia" (lie), "My mama knows your
mama", "My first Mardi Gras", "Hail Endymion"
(or whoever)
2.
Be willing to trade. If a float stops close by that rider might be
willing to trade his best stuff for a cold beverage. A beer for a
coconut is a fair trade.
3.
Be ready with your foot when that shower of doubloons hit the ground.
Cover the doubloon gently with your foot and wait til the float passes
to retrieve it. This will save you the pain of having your fingers
stomped. Ask specifically for doubloons and you might receive a
handful tossed in your direction.
4.
Stand close by any cute kids, nuns, soldiers or young babes. They are bead magnets and
you can get the overthrow. Example, a young (or old) blonde girl in a
Hooter's shirt cannot carry home all the loot that will rain on her
;-)
5.
For night parades stand in a lighted area or wear blinky beads.
6.
Keep a minimum of beads around your neck. Stash that fresh loot in your
bead bag and look kinda sad and pathetic at your complete lack of
success.
Remember
that just the three super krewes are gonna throw 1.5 million cups, 2.5 million doubloons, and
200,000 gross of beads and you deserve your share, get in there and work
for it. And take any opportunity to thank the Krewe members for their
generosity. One way to do that is to discourage anybody who
throws back at the floats. Each year riders are hurt by projectiles from
the crowd. Alcohol or ignorance is no excuse. These riders are putting
out major bucks and they deserve our respect and appreciation.
Did
you know that many of the Riding Lieutenants that lead the parades carry their own
collectable black doubloons?
Did
you know that celebrity kings and grand marshals throw their own
collectable doubloons and cups?
Did
you know that Krewe Members often carry "special" doubloons
that are made of silver, bronze or come in multi-colors?
Happy
Hunting
Purple
= Justice
Green =
Faith
Gold =
Power
| Lugged
all that loot home and wondering what to do with it? Well, there
are many people who actively collect doubloons, collector cards,
medallion beads and krewe memorabilia.
 The
Crescent City Doubloon Traders publishes a price guide and a
regular newsletter. It hosts swap meets in the New Orleans area.
The Guide, a 100-page,
spiral bound book, includes information on more than 16,000
doubloons minted, 1960-2000.
Available from the Club at:
Crescent City Doubloon Traders
P.O. Box 24418
New Orleans, LA 70184-4418
E-Mail missdoubloon@msn.com |
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