The coveted Mardi Gras throw is something everyone wants to walk away with.Riders loaded hundreds of painted coconuts onto floats ahead of the parade Mardi Gras morning.Above video: 'It's great to Of all the throws to rain down on Mardi Gras, the Zulu coconut is of highest demand. The coconut made its debut in 1910 in a dulled-down form, natural and hairy with no gold or glitter. The early 20th century marked the arrival of painted walnuts and, later, painted coconuts from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. Today the painted, glittered, and feathered coconuts are passionately sought—something of a holy grail for even experienced parade-goers. NEW ORLEANS —For many, the holy grail souvenir collector’s item for Mardi Gras is the Zulu coconut. The historic name the Zulu coconut is the golden nugget. They have been part of the parade Ironically, Zulu would end up birthing one of the most beloved traditions of Mardi Gras: the Zulu coconut. Originally, riders handed out painted walnuts, called “golden nuggets.” In 1910 The painted and decorated treasure, which has been a crowd favorite and a “must” catch on Mardi Gras day, originated in the 1940s. The history of the coconut throw is simple- while other krewes were throwing glass beads, they were too expensive for the members of Zulu, so they decided to purchase inexpensive coconuts from the French Market. Bulk 24-pack Golden or Silver Coconuts Discounted shipping is applied on this bulk pack of Mardi Gras Zulu-style Hollow Coconuts Painted Solid Color [gold or silver]. 4-6 inches in length. Every year, as winter fades and spring approaches, the streets of New Orleans explode with color, music, and celebration. Mardi Gras, the grandest festival in Louisiana, is famous for its parades, beads, masked revelers, and deep cultural traditions. McKinley High School art students' painted coconuts become a part of Mardi Gras history decorated to be handed out at the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club's Mardi Gras Day parade Tuesday in © 2025 Plush Appeal, L.L.C. - All Rights Reserved - Website by Westguard Solutions. 2812 Toulouse St., New Orleans, LA 70119; Phone Number: (504) 482-0000; Mon - Fri Zulu coconut. Members of the Krewe of Zulu hold painted coconuts to give to parade-goers as they march on Mardi Gras 2014 in New Orleans. Since being introduced in the 1910s, the Zulu coconut has Mardi Gras Doubloon Learn more about this iconic parade throw. What makes New Orleans Mardi Gras parades unique from— and much more fun than—parades across the country is simple: active crowd participation. Andrea’s first Mardi Gras painting was commissioned by a dear friend in the early 80s at the time when the AIDS crisis touched the lives of many they knew. The metaphoric Mardi Gras theme of the work was inspired by her friend who she sensed wore a mask of joy to cover anxious and sad emotions. Like a glittering prize on Mardi Gras morning, the Allen-James family of Treme carefully hands down the art of decorating Zulu coconuts. A couple of weeks before Carnival day, a purple plastic A member of the Crew of Zulu hands out prized painted coconuts as their parade rolls on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Photo Credit: AP Photo The Zulu coconut is, quite possibly, the most desirable throw of the Mardi Gras season. Each coconut is hand painted by a Zulu rider and, like a Muses shoe or a Nyx purse, not given out recklessly. If you’re going to get up early enough to catch Zulu (this parade rolls at 8AM), you want to make it worth that early alarm.
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