The tradition of throwing Moon Pies during Mardi Gras parades can be traced back to the early 20th century, when the snack was first created in the South. The reasoning behind tossing these sweet treats is believed to have originated from throwing other small, inexpensive items to the crowd. Moon Pies quickly became a popular choice due to their affordability and portability. Today, thousands Soon other Krewes were following the action as the throw caught on. Moon Pie is a trade-marked name of the Chattanooga Bakery in Tennessee. There are, however, other companies in operation that sell otherdifferentbe called Mardi Gras pies. The Chattanooga Bakery began making moon pies in 1916. He hosts a large Mardi Gras street party on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, where more than 3,000 people line up for his fried oysters, rack of lamb, boiled shrimp and other Southern treats. Mardi Gras isn’t just another holiday in Mobile — it’s a way of life. Mardi Gras pies are smaller than the original pies and come in a silver wrapper, often with an organization’s emblem on the wrapper. Moon Pies also come in various flavors. Moon Pie is a trade marked name of the Chattanooga bakery in Tennessee. These are still wrapped in it’s colorful package. To this day, Moon Pies are one of the most popular throws in south Alabama and often seen outside Mobile, too, in places like Slidell, Louisiana, where an entire parade celebrates the snack, throwing more than 50,000 in a single year. Still, "Moon Pies are the tip of the iceberg," Blackwell said. The key element of Mardi Gras is the celebration of excess, which is often manifested in the form of food. One of the most iconic aspects of Mardi Gras is the parade, during which revelers often throw food at each other. While the practice of throwing food at Mardi Gras parades may seem strange to outsiders, it is actually a long-standing Years later, mystic societies in Mobile adopted the moon pie in a search for something softer to throw to parade-goers than the traditional box of Cracker Jack’s. The Moon Pie was a hit with parade-goers. Today some half a million Chattanooga Moon Pies (the only “official” moon pie) are said to be thrown during Mobile Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras pies are smaller than the original pies and come in a silver wrapper, often with an organization's emblem on the wrapper. Mardi Gras pies come now in strawberry, and apple. Filed Under : mardi gras , moon pie , newsletter , parade throws How did the treat for coal miners go from lunch pails to Mardi Gras treasure? That tradition started in Mobile, home of Mardi Gras, when it was decided that Cracker Jack boxes, the item that used to be thrown during parades, were just too darn hard. So MoonPies, a value at just a nickel back then, became the thing to throw. Mardi Gras This is for all things Mardi Gras related along the Gulf Coast. Local Businesses If you live in the Mobile, Alabama region and you’re looking for a certain type of business, this is the category for you. Do Some Good Mobile There are countless non-profits in the Mobile Alabama area that do good things. So, this section is to Today's guest is none other than Stephen Toomey, the owner of Toomey's Mardi Gras Store, an iconic institution that has been a staple of Mobile's Carnival scene since the 1970s. If you're a Mobilian, you're surely familiar with Toomey's - the go-to place for Moon Pies, beads, trinkets, and all things Mardi Gras. Moon pies first became popular here in the 1940’s and 50’s when Mardi Gras parade organizers decided to replace the cracker jacks they had been throwing with the softer moon pies which were easier to toss. Today, around 500,000 moon pies are thrown each year during Mardi Gras parades in Mobile. Although popular here, they are actually made MoonPies, Mobile, and Mardi Gras “You know all about the beads, parades, masks and mayhem of Mardi Gras in New Orleans.But did you know that the country’s first Mardi Gras celebration was held not in the Crescent City, but 125 miles east, in Mobile, Alabama?” A moon pie and Mardi Gras beads. Photo by author. They used to throw boxes of Cracker Jacks but then began throwing the MoonPies because they were only a nickel a piece. Much cheaper than When we yell “Throw me something, Mister!” at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, we really mean “throw me something cool.” Unlike parades in other parts of the world where you just watch, Mardi Gras parades are an interactive activity and the better your booty haul at the end of the night, the better you consider the parade. Moon Pies are atthe top of the list for a parade throws and they are perfect thing to show a little Mardi Gras spirit at your event. Actually, Moon Pies make a great dessert. any time of year. Shop here for the all-time favorite original Moon Pies, plus mixed bulk candy bags, bubble gum, and more. Throwing Moon Pies originally began in Mobile, AL, where they are still the catch of choice for the parades there. Here in Lafayette, we're just getting the tradition started. But Wikimedia Commons. Parade-goers reach for throws during the 2011 Krewe of King Arthur parade in New Orleans. Photo by Derek Bridges. M ardi Gras is renowned for its assortment of parade throws, particularly plastic beads and trinkets tossed from parading float riders to the spectators below. Mardi Gras is nothing like this. Huge crowds gather into mosh-pit-like packs, and there’s nowhere to sit. Massive floats make their ways down the street, one after another, with “throws” tossed into the crowd – anything from beads and moon pies (a Mardi Gras favorite) to stuffed animals and cups.
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