How to Catch More Mardi Gras Beads & Throws (the clean way!)

Not one to show some skin to get a strand of Mardi Gras beads or other Mardi Gras throw? Here are some family friendly tips that are sure to increase your catch at the next Mardi Gras Parade.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Mardi Gras Masks
• Festive Hats & Clothing in Purple, Gold, or Green
• Mardi Gras Decorations
• Fun Family Members
• A Couple of Cute Kids
• A Loud Voice
• A Fold Up Mesh Hamper to Hold Your Loot.

1. ARRIVE EARLY AND SECURE A GOOD LOCATION ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE. Try to find a place where you can stand behind or near your vehicle.
   
   DECORATE YOUR RIDE. If you parked where you are able to stand near you vehicle, make sure to jazz it up with streamers and signs. We also get in the mood by playing some music (usually a typical Mardi Gras mix but I also like to throw in some Harry Connick, Jr. or the LSU Fightsong).
   
   If you want to double up on your catches, check the parade route to see if there is a location where you can cross a street or walk a couple of blocks to catch the parade again after it has passed you by the first time.
2. DECORATE YOURSELF. The more festive you look, the more you will get into the spirit of the parade and the more likely it is that the riders will notice you.
3. WEAR A CRAZY HAT. Anything goes, and anything that catches the attention of the folks on the floats does the trick.
4. WEAR A TRADITIONAL MARDI GRAS MASK. If you aren't one to go too far out on a fashion limb with a crazy hat-- at least put on a mask.
5. ADORN YOURSELF WITH UNIQUE BEADS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. I always sport the purple and gold footballs and the tiger ear headband to show my LSU spirit.
6. A CUTE KID NEVER HURTS. If you have a few cute kids, be sure to dress them up too. Hold them up high or stand them on top of the car so that they can see and be seen.
7. YELL "THROW ME SOMETHING MISTER" & A LITTLE MORE. Tradition has it that parade watchers yell "throw me something mister" so that never fails to get attention.
   
   Another way to get the attention of the riders is to yell out their name or the name of their organization. Hint: Look on the side of the float or the car and it is usually easy to find the name. It's easy to flatter folks on the floats. If they think they have a fan, they will throw you more beads whether they recognize you or not.
8. USE A MESH LAUNDRY HAMPER TO HOLD YOUR CATCHES. All of those beads get heavy quickly when you are storing them around your neck. Plus, they become a tangled mess that takes forever to get off. Put a few prize catches around your neck and throw the rest into the hamper to sort out later.
9. GO HOME AND ADMIRE YOUR CATCHES. Kids love to look for the longest strand, the shortest, the ugliest, the most unique, etc.

Tips & Warnings

• Try your luck in the back of the crowd. Many riders aren't that great at controlling their throws and they tend to overshoot the crowd.
• Try your luck above the crowd. Stand in the back of a truck or up on another raised area along the parade route.
• Don't run up too close to the floats or cars to beg for throws. Most riders are instructed not to throw to persons who come close to the floats. It is extremely dangerous. You are more likely to catch the attention of a rider if you are far enough back to be seen by the rider.
• Don't run into the gap between two floats to pick up beads that didn't make it to the crowd. It is often very difficult for the drivers of the floats to see in front of them--especially when there are decorations on the front windows or the front of the float.
• Don't forget to keep an eye on your kids. Mardi Gras is fun, and it's easy for the most dull personality to get caught up in the excitement as the parade rolls by. It's a good idea to designate one adult forego catching beads and to keep an eye on the kids.