Throw Me Something Scary, Mister: The History of Parade Throws

In New Orleans, catching things thrown at your head from a moving vehicle is considered a sport, a tradition, and a badge of honor. Beads, trinkets, toys—if it flies through the air during a parade, you want it.

And while most folks associate throws with Mardi Gras, Halloween has officially entered the chat.

Welcome to the eerie evolution of this classic Crescent City tradition, and how Krewe of BOO! took “Throw me something, mister!” and gave it a spooky-season spin.

🎭 Where It All Began: The Beads of Babylon

The tradition of parade throws dates back to the late 1800s, when the Rex organization began tossing sugar-coated almonds into the crowd (a bold move—sticky and airborne!). Over the years, those almonds turned into glass beads, then plastic beads, then a full-blown industry of custom trinkets, doubloons, plush toys, and light-up swag.

Throws became not just souvenirs, but currency of celebration—trophies from the streets, tokens of the season, and sometimes full-on fights between float-chasers.

👻 Enter: Krewe of BOO! and the Halloween Takeover

When Krewe of BOO! rolled out its first official Halloween parade in the early 2000s, we didn’t just copy Mardi Gras—we reanimated it.

We said, “Sure, beads are cool… but what if they were shaped like skulls, glowed in the dark, or came with tiny vampire fangs?”

And just like that, Halloween throws were born.

🧟 From Doubloons to Demons: What’s Flying Through the Air Now?

Our throws are frighteningly fabulous and deeply collectible. Here’s what you might catch at a Krewe of BOO! parade:

• Glow-in-the-dark beads with jack-o’-lantern medallions

• Skeleton rubber duckies (because... why not?)

• Mini voodoo dolls (unofficially blessed)

• Vampire teeth, eyeball bouncy balls, and creepy crawly rings

• Zombie plushies with the Krewe of BOO! logo

• Custom parade cups, perfect for your post-catch cocktail

• Ghouls Gold doubloon coins!

🧙‍♀️ Why It Works: Spooky Swag + Street Theatre

Part of what makes Halloween throws so thrilling is the unexpectedness. You're not just catching a bead—you’re catching a ghost-themed surprise you’ll probably wear for the rest of the night. Plus, you never know which krewe member is going to toss you a trinket while dressed like a 10-foot-tall swamp witch riding a fog machine.

It’s not just a parade—it’s a spooky scavenger hunt.

🧛 Eco-Conscious and Locally Made? Yes, Please.

Krewe of BOO! is also pushing for greener throws: reusable bags, recycled materials, and locally sourced goodies that won’t haunt the Earth long after Halloween’s over. Some krewes have even handed out seed packets, handmade soaps, and sustainable swag that’s scary and smart.

🎃 Catch of the Night: Make It Count

So, what makes a Halloween throw really special? It’s not just about what it is—it’s about how you catch it. Did a werewolf toss it to you? Did a witch wink when she aimed for your trick-or-treat bag? Was it thrown at your head by a skeleton with impeccable aim? That’s the kind of Krewe of BOO! memory that sticks with you (and sometimes literally sticks in your hair).

So next time you scream “Throw me something, Monstah!” at the Krewe of BOO! parade…Don’t be surprised if what you catch is creepy, kooky, and possibly glowing.

Because in New Orleans, we don’t just throw beads. We throw the unexpected.

🦴 Happy haunting—and may your candy bag be cursed with fabulousness.