Mardi Gras beads grow on trees

Drive through most South Louisiana towns and look up and you’ll see a plethora of Mardi Gras beads hanging from tree boughs. These unusual growths are especially prominent during the Carnival season, which happens from Jan. 6 until Mardi Gras, which is today (Feb. 13, 2018), the Tuesday before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

These plastic creations grow on trees down here, which is where we get the beads to throw off Mardi Gras floats during the long Carnival season.

You didn’t think we bought them from China, did you? 
      

Mardi Gras beads are particularly fond of our massive live oak trees that spread out over the parade routes. We find all kinds, too, and not just those little cheapy beads we want to throw back at float riders.

Those grow on shrubbery.

What? You’re saying the beads get caught in the trees after being thrown off Mardi Gras floats and stay there all year long?

I don’t think so.

Weird, Wacky and Wild South is written by award-winning Louisiana food and travel writer Chere Dastugue Coen, who absolutely adores Mardi Gras.