What are floats in Mardi Gras?

At the center of the Mardi Gras celebration is the parade float. Today, Mardi Gras floats come in large sizes and are outfitted with elaborate decorations including larger-than-life papier-mache sculptures (called props), ornate hand-painted flowers, and flashing LED lights.

What are parade floats called?

A float is a decorated platform, either built on a vehicle like a truck or towed behind one, which is a component of many festive parades, such as those of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, the Carnival in São Paulo, the Carnival of Viareggio, the Maltese Carnival, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Key West Fantasy …

What is not allowed in Mardi Gras floats?

The only things that can be thrown from the floats are beads, cups, doubloons, candy and small toys. Trash, water, glass, silly string and all alcoholic beverages, including jello shots, are not permitted to be thrown.

What do riders on the floats wear?

Float riders are required to wear masks by law in keeping with the mystery and tradition, and many krewes never reveal who their king or queen is.

What does wearing beads in New Orleans mean?

Beads used on Mardi Gras (known as Shrove Tuesday in some regions) are purple, green, and gold, with these three colors containing the Christian symbolism of justice, faith, and power, respectively.

How are floats made?

Floats start with a framework of steel and chicken wire. That “cocoon” then gets sprayed with polyvinyl and covered with plants in the days leading up to the parade. The Rose Parade dates to Jan. 1, 1890, when 2,000 people turned out to see an idea thought up by a Pasadena group called the Valley Hunt Club.

Why are beads thrown from the floats in the parades?

Purple represents justice, Green symbolizes faith, and Gold exemplifies power. “The Mardi Gras King (New Orleans) in 1982 gave each color its own meaning: purple for justice, green means faith, and gold represent power.” The act of throwing the beads to parade goers is really just a way to get people riled up.

What do people throw from the floats to the crowds?

So what are “throws?” Well, they are exactly what they sound like – items that krewe members on floats throw to parade-goers as the floats pass by! Throws often include doubloons, beads, cups, homemade trinkets, toys and more!

How do the floats move?

Most floats use automotive gasoline engines with automatic transmissions. The engine speed is geared down through one or more auxiliary gearboxes to achieve the desired parade speed of about 2.5 mph (4.0 kph). The engine is cooled by an extra large radiator to ensure that it will not over-heat during the long parade.