Mardi Gras Beads & Parades
The traditions, parades and stories behind Louisiana's Carnival.
A plain-spoken guide to Mardi Gras culture: parade customs, throw traditions and how to enjoy the season.
Articles
- From Glass to Plastic: A Short History of Throw BeadsHow Mardi Gras throws went from rare gifts to glass necklaces to the plastic and light-up beads that fill the streets today.
- Mardi Gras in Houma and Bayou CountryAre there Mardi Gras parades outside New Orleans? Yes. Here is what Carnival season looks like in Houma and Terrebonne Parish, with tips for families.
- Why Purple, Green and Gold? The Story of the Mardi Gras ColorsWhere the Mardi Gras colors came from, what each one stands for, and which parts of the story historians still argue about.
- Parade Manners for First-Timers: What to Know Before You GoGoing to your first Mardi Gras parade? Where to stand, how to stay safe near floats, ladders and kids, how to catch throws, and how to leave the spot clean.
- What Is a Krewe? How Mardi Gras Clubs WorkWhat does krewe mean? A plain guide to the clubs behind Mardi Gras parades: where the word came from, themes and floats, balls, and how people join.