Buying guide
Mardi Gras throw ideas beyond beads
Here's the open secret of modern Mardi Gras: most riders now throw trinkets, not beads. Beads set the backdrop — the throws people remember are everything else. Here's what works, straight from our aisles.
What can you throw from a float besides beads?
Trinkets are now the main event, with classic beads as the base layer. From our own shelves: plush toys, blow-up balls, light-up novelties, hand clappers, and footballs — browse the full novelty aisle for the current lineup. Kids along the route go for plush and blow-up balls over beads every time.
What do parade crowds actually want to catch?
Trinkets, over and over: cups, plush, footballs, light-up novelties. Specialty and light-up throws get the loudest response at night parades; plush and balls win with families on daytime routes. A trinket-heavy load-out with beads as the base layer goes much further than a wall of bead cases.
What throws are allowed on a float?
Throw rules vary by parish and by krewe — check your krewe's throw list before you buy in bulk. As a rule of thumb, soft and light items (beads, plush, inflatables) are safe everywhere; anything hard, sharp, or glass is not.
Where to buy parade throws in bulk near New Orleans
Mardi Gras Beads Factory sells wholesale throws by the case at two Louisiana stores — Bridge City (1145 Highway 90 W, Bridge City, LA 70094) and Houma (1396 W Tunnel Blvd, Houma, LA 70360). Order online and pick up in store; we don't ship. See how many beads a float rider needs to size the bead half of your load-out, and the 2027 parade schedule for your ride date.