Mardi Gras "What Are Throws?"

Mardi Gras throws are one of the most famous and most fun traditions in the annual Mardi Gras festivities. The throws are various kinds of trinkets that are thrown to the crowd during the parade, that revelers collect and gain status from grabbing.

When you are at the Bacchus parade, the King on the King's float throws out doubloons to the crowd, with the image of the Celebrity King on a side of the doubloon. If you are lucky enough to catch one, you will want to hold onto it! Some of the other popular throws include cups (otherwise known as New Orleans dinnerware), long pearl beads and stuffed animals.

Mardi Gras "What Are Throws?"
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The throwing of trinkets to the crowds was started in the early 1870s by the Twelfth Night Revelers, and is a time-honored expectation for young and old alike. In 1884 (over 100 years ago!), Rex started using medallions instead of trinkets. These medallions are represented by today's doubloons. These doubloons are aluminum and anodized in many different colors. They depict the parade theme on one side and the Krewe's emblem on the other. They have become collector's items.

Mardi Gras "What Are Throws?"