These 7 Posters Get You the ‘Best’ Beads at Lafayette Mardi Gras

Everyone always wants to catch the "really good beads" and the most throws at Mardi Gras. Here are the signs and posters that grab the most attention from float riders.

If you've ever had the pleasure of riding on a Mardi Gras float, you know what wonderful things you will see among the people who come to watch the parade.

You'll see young and old dancing in the streets and begging for you to throw something at them.

As the person in the crowd, each of us knows we need to make eye contact or get a float rider to notice us to get them to throw something at us. One of the ways people work to get the attention of float riders is by making a clever sign.

Now, anyone can make and hold up a sign at Mardi Gras, but it's truly only the really great signs that garner the most attention.

Which signs are likely to get you the best beads and throws? Here are some categories that we know will help you when you decide what kind of sign you are going to make and what you are going to write on it.

First Mardi Gras Sign

You, me, and everyone around us just love Mardi Gras. It's something that is engrained in the fabric of our lives.

I can remember being a toddler, up on my dad's shoulders, at a Mardi Gras parade. We all have fond memories of Mardi Gras from the youngest of ages. So to see someone holding up a sign that reads, "My First Mardi Gras", you want to throw everything you've got at them.

As a rider, you want the person holding that sign to have the best experience of their life so they will come back. You also want to show them how much fun Mardi Gras is. Now, whether or not it is that person's first Mardi Gras, is another matter! LOL! But, who cares? I always pelt someone with a bunch of throws when they are holding up that sign.

Funny Signs Will Get You Beads

This lady was spotted at a Lafayette Mardi Gras parade in 2023 with a funny sign. Not only does she make a joke about traveling all the way from Scott to Lafayette, she also pokes fun at all the "First Mardi Gras" signs.

No doubt, this lady was showered with the best beads and trinkets. The funnier the sign, the more attention you get, and we know the more attention you get the more stuff will be thrown your way.

Signs Declaring You've Come From Another Country

In the picture above, the lady "came all the way from Scott" to Lafayette to attend Mardi Gras. She playing off of the theme that people from elsewhere get great items thrown at them.

When float riders see a sign from someone declaring they have come from another state or country, they are going to react with pleasure. You'll be thrown the best beads and other items.

I know this works. I admit my deception. One year a friend and I were goofing around and decided to test out this theory. We made a sign proclaiming, "We are from France". it was a huge hit! It doesn't hurt that we are a Francophone state and that my friend was wearing a beret! Yes, we lied, but hey, it was Mardi Gras, so anything goes!

Signs That Have the Words, "You Can't Hit This Sign"

Mission accepted. When you're riding on a Mardi Gras float or if you are standing in the crowd and you see someone holding up this sign, you are going to see they get tons of beads.

They get thrown the nicest beads and the biggest beads along with the coolest things like stuffed animals.

It's a great sign to hold up because everyone on that float is going to take at least one chance to make sure they hit your sign.

Signs That Read, "It's My Birthday"

It's obvious anyone holding up a sign like this will be getting the coolest beads and throws that each float has to offer.

It's not a surprise, because what happens in a restaurant when the staff starts singing, "Happy Birthday" to someone? We all join in

Everyone on each float, will throw pretty much anything they got at you to make sure you have a memorable parade.

The Strange Sign That Turns Traditions Around

If you go to Mardi Gras in other places, you likely will see some float riders who will encourage women to show body parts in order to get the best beads.

One of the funniest signs I ever saw was the time I was riding in the parade that featured women's krewes predominately. I glanced into the crowd to see a man holding up a sign that read, "Throw me some beads, and I'll show you my (chest)!

His sign was hilarious to the women on our float. The man received a ton of attention and a huge amount of beads from the ladies on our floats.

Write "I'm Single" on Your Poster

This is an adorable sign that I have seen people carrying at parades. I'm sure you have seen people as well.

It's a great way to get all the single people on a float to recognize and pay attention to you!

If you are single, don't be shy! Make sure you make up your own sign saying you are single. You might get tons of throws and maybe a date!