The first requisite is to pre-bead. South Louisiana natives intuitively know the value of pre-beading; non- natives may not have the necessary experience. To-pre-bead, put on three to six specially selected strands of beads before you arrive at the parade. Do not select the short, cheap ones that float riders tend to throw in untied bunches toward the end of the parade just to get rid of them, nor the large, garish ones tourists buy in shops on Bourbon Street. Longer strands of solid color beads that float riders throw sparingly to targeted participants are best. A strand from a previous year that has a medallion of the parade you are attending is an especially nice touch. The idea is to show that you are a true aficionado who appreciates catching your beads on your own. The majority of float riders are pros who take pride in their work. With the thumb and forefinger of one hand, a serious rider will select one of the logger, special strands and separate it out of the bunch without losing his balance or any of the drink he is holding in his other hand. He then tosses the loose end upward and catches the whole strand in a ball. He points to his target someone who is making eye contact with him at that moment and throws dead on. If the target catches the beads, he will receive the slightest nod of approval momentary entrance into the brotherhood. No catch and he gets a look of undisguised disdain. Knowing about this special appreciation of the skill between thrower and throwee allows many otherwise unattractive people (middle-aged men for example) to collect a reasonable number of quality beads during any one parade. Selecting the appropriate station for catching beads in is very important. Little white haired ladies draw the sympathy of the float riders and are good targets for quality beads, but they usually sit in lawn chairs back from the crowd so quantity is a bit of a problem. A unique advantage of standing near them is that they will point out beads you have clumsily missed instead of trying to stomp your hand when you bend down to pick them up in most instances. For quantity, you need to be near the front lines. A cute child (someone else's child -you don't want to grab beads from your own children) on a stepladder is usually good, but you can expect the venue to be crowded. The optimal situation? Find a young chick in a tight leather outfit sitting on shoulders of a short stocky fellow of tremendous strength and endurance. Have the member of your group who is six feet seven inches tall with nimble arms and hands positioned behind this pair. Instruct him to stay quiet and grab beads while the rest of your group who are of normal size yell, "Throw me something Mister," as loudly as-possible to distract the chick. Because his peripheral vision is necessarily very limited, the short, stocky guy will never know how many beads you collect. Mardi Gras is a magical season. With just a little extra awareness, the novice, like the native, will know why people catch beads. And after Mardi Gras, he or she can-go back home, no matter where home is, with a bag full of magic to share.

The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th century. These early -Europeans celebrated the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas calling it the feast of Epiphany, Twelfth Night or King's day. The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King Cake to honor the three Kings. The cakes were made circular to portray the circular route used by the Kings to get to the Christ Child and confuse King Herod, who was trying to follow the wise men so he could kill the Christ Child. In these early King Cakes, a bean, a pea or a coin was hidden inside the cake. The person who got the hidden piece was declared King for the day, or was said to have good luck in the coming year. In Louisiana, Twelfth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival season, which ends on Mardi Gras Day. A small plastic baby to symbolize the Christ Child has replaced the beans, peas, and coins. The person who gets the baby is expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake Party.