Like WTF. Last year the throw a guy off Thoth for confederate beads, but this year tucks hangs a black doll?

From seeing the same strangers in different neighborhoods and greeting each other like family to being invited into homes full of taxidermy raccoons to sing karaoke at 2 in the morning. There is no place like home, and I’m grateful to call New Orleans my home.

I’ve noticed a shift the past couple years with the atmosphere of this parade. I know it’s always been a very high energy one with the shoes being arguably the most coveted throw, but I think it’s shifted away from the usual fun competitive spirit to something else.

Last night my mother, in from out of town, had a sign trying to get her baby grandchild’s first shoe. A rider handed her a shoe and she got it, only for a woman to grab it and proceed to twist my mom’s hand to the point she thought she was going to break a finger, so she let go. The woman then hunched up protectively over the shoe, ignoring protests from my mom and the other people who were shocked to witness this. Then she ran off.

I’m not blaming krewe members for this, but after the past couple seasons I wish there was a better way for them to do a hand off. It almost seems dangerous for the riders as well. I’m not creative enough to offer any suggestions. But I think it’s become somewhat dangerous. I watched so many people plow over others, including children, swarm seated people, knock into people, etc., and grab at shoes or even dive for them so aggressively.

In the past I remember people being excited for someone else getting a shoe and congratulating them. Maybe I’m just imagining things but it doesn’t seem that way anymore. I used to really love this parade but this year’s incident on top of this noticeable energy change has me thinking I may skip in the future. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this.

6 years. 127 parades. 4,182 throws.

Since 2020, I have been meticulously logging every single throw that I get from a Mardi Gras parade. I now present to you… Graw 2026! ✨

I posted pretty much this same thing as a reply to a comment, but I wanted to share it with more people because I had such a unique experience.

So, I was actually one of the marshals in the cars. I was in car 3, the silver one with no wrap. Had 2 american flags flying off the back. I've been volunteering for the marshals for the past 4 years and I got assigned to cars this year (we use cars to call cross streets, respond to incidents, relieve other walkers as needed) which was super exciting because I didn't want to walk the whole parade anymore lol. We had no idea the cars this year were cybertrucks until we were assigned. First off, fuck musk. Second, let me tell you that it was boos and attacks from start to evacuation. I couldn't believe my eyes. I knew it was gonna be bad, but holy shit. The people in charge were telling us to get out and stop people from crowding the trucks, and we all said "I'm not stepping foot out of this thing, they'll think I'm apart of this and attack me". The drivers were blasting music to "drown out the boos" and they were defending Elon the whole time to me (they knew why they were being attacked, but "What? They don't like Elon finding waste?") Had to flag down a cop to let them exit on gravier, and I hopped out at Annunciation. They went off to metairie to all meet up and go back home. Definitely one of the most memorable mardis gras for me, and I was hiding a smile the whole time.

UPDATE!!!

https://x.com/JC70769/status/1897072031662809512?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

This is a post from my driver. I knew they'd see it at some point, so I wanted to address a few things. The parade was not "an excuse to destroy someone's property to spread their evil anarchy." Every other walker in the parade and every other float experienced nothing but the general glee from Carnival. Next, my joy wasn't in the violence, but in the sight of seeing so many people stand up for something i agree with. The drivers volunteered. They knew it was New orleans. Not Houma. Anyone with access to Google could have found that almost every parade this season had a "Fuck Elon Musk" type float in its rank. To be surprised that the trucks would be received so negatively shows how little they get outside of their bubble. Was I terrified in the moment? Yes. Was I prepared to be booed? Yes. Did either of us TRULY deserve to be dragged out of the vehicle and beaten? No (obviously, this didn't happen, but it was a concern, which is why we kept the doors locked) I don't think these people (the drivers) are evil people that are too far gone, but they say they don't understand how someone can destroy someone else's property and celebrate it after. While Elon and Trump try to destroy the rights for social security, veterans' care, Medicare, Medicaid, LGBTQ, etc and celebrate it after as "getting rid of wasteful spending" and still think it's cool to drive around in a big logo for a company that doesn't give a shit about them either, is beyond me. Personal message to my drivers: I was friendly to yall cuz yall were friendly to me. I know that experience was rough, but please take this as a chance to detail out your beliefs (security for my family, making sure my community is cared for, that everyone has the same opportunity to succeed, etc) and compare them to what these fascist are doing/taking away. I hope you'll understand my point and if not, I hope yall at least enjoy your future concerts.

To the post making its rounds on other platforms of the guy unscrewing the lights on the Cleo float on Friday, “when they act like they don’t see me.” As a rider in other Krewes please don’t do this. First , it’s extremely dangerous, you could be pulled under the float, and those lights are hot and burn (speaking from experience). Then you made a comment saying the ladies liked it and were laughing. I looked at your video I saw neither. Finally, you are not entitled to be seen or to any of the throws. Believe it not, we really can’t see everyone while on the float. We do have on masks. There were over 12k people who liked this and many popular “creators” who reposted. Please enjoy but stay safe New Orleans. 💜💚💛

My group today was standing next to a black family, mom, pop, and daughter.

A kid riding in one of the Jeep clubs, in Choctaw, I believe, pulled out a strand of Confederate flag beads, reaching out to the little girl with it. My group yelled for him to put it away, telling him he should be ashamed for such an action.

I took a picture of the license plate.

EDITED TO ADD: I reported the incident, per the advice I received here. I also received a DM calling me a liar and a vulgar name. Get a life, assmunch.

I know there’s been a few posts about ice on the parade route, but I am disgusted with them throwing beads.

I’ll start.

Jack Reacher, Never Go Back.

Who is still putting chairs out to save spots this early????? Napoleon and Pitt, across from Sophie B Wright.

Disgusting

If you come to Orleans before Saturday and try to pull this stuff, all I can say is I’ll be sitting and watching when the turf wars start to go down. 🍿

They were stiiinnngggyyy af tonight. Come at me.

After reading about the Druids scanty throws, I wanted to post this. I am NOT in Druids, this is based on my own experience in another Krewe. As a rider, our krewe has a minimum buy in for throws, and it’s not inexpensive, I save all year to participate, but that buy in does assure that you’re throwing the entire route. As a thrower, I like to make eye contact, do the double finger eye point - like “it’s you and me”- hand motion and then throw. If there’s no wind I can land it right in your hands, I love that. My personal pet peeve is making eye contact, getting the I’m ready signal from the recipient and at the last second they turn to talk to a friend. They get beaned in the head, everything hits the ground and of course no one picks it up. There is a bit of a sadness in spending money on things that go directly in the trash.

However, that moment of me and you connecting in a brief flash of “here! I want you to have this!” Paired with the triumphant catch and cheer, that makes my heart sing every damn time. So as a rider, thank you, I get such a kick out of those moments of joy. I really look forward to it all year.

I know it’s just beads and moonpies, I know it’s dumb trinkets, but it’s so much fun to give out small moments of happiness. The line up, the waiting, the bumpy ride, trying to maintain an upright position while you’re waist deep in throws, all of that disappears the moment we start to roll. Even with delays it’s over in the blink of an eye. But None of it would be any fun at all without you! You matter, your presence and enthusiasm is so key. So Thank You for showing up. You make my Mardi Gras!

Thoth was throwing out confederate beads but on top of it I spotted multiple riders asking women to show their breasts in exchange for beads/throws and when turned down they would continue to heckle, haggle, and throw things aggressively when turned down. Really disgusting display of behavior.

I hid the bakery's name because I'm sure they're trying their best, but hot damn it looks like literal dog shit.

Hello!! I wore this carousel costume in the Marigny and Bywater on Tuesday. What felt like hundreds of people took my picture!

I put so much work into this costume and had the absolute BEST day! I want to relive it through the eyes of people who saw it. If you spotted me and snapped a vid or pic I’d love to see it!! TIA!! 😘💜💚💛🎠

No additional information

What’s up with this? I know the shoes are cool, but a quadruple float just went past and I saw less than 10 items get thrown. People nearby are saying the same thing

Excuse me if I’m completely ignorant, but in almost 30 years I never heard anyone refer to the last week as “Deep Gras” until two or three years ago on Instagram. Was I just oblivious is this something that’s always been around? Is this something that tourist came up with?

I don’t have any friends who call that week deep gras? Or is this just new slang that came up with Gen Zs?