The art of the throw
Throwing trinkets to the crowd dates to 1870, when the Twelfth Night Revelers first tossed favors from their floats. Today every krewe has its own throws - and a few signature catches are the stuff of legend.
What gets thrown
Beads
The classic throw. Originally glass, now plastic, often color-coded to the krewe.
Doubloons
Stamped aluminum coins, unique to each krewe. The tradition began with Rex in 1960.
Zulu coconut
A hand-painted coconut from the Zulu krewe - the single most coveted throw of Carnival. They are usually handed, not thrown, for safety.
Muses shoe
A glitter-decorated high heel from the all-female Krewe of Muses - one of the hardest catches to land.
Cups
Branded plastic go-cups - genuinely useful and endlessly collected.
Specialty throws
Moon pies, stuffed animals, light-up toys, mini footballs and more vary by krewe.
How to catch (and the etiquette)
- Make eye contact with a rider, wave, and call out - it works better than shouting blindly.
- Kids and people on shoulders get priority; never snatch a throw from a child.
- Throws are gifts, not purchases - don't fight over them.
- Bring a bag; you'll catch more than you expect.