Now that you mention it, it occured to me that New Orleans doesn't have parades for the 4th of July.

BUT we do have Carnival Season parades - that ends with Mardi Gras. That doesn't quite get parading out of everyone's system, because we also have St. Patrick's Day parades.

So no Christmas or July 4 parades, but Mardi Gras does make up for it. And where else to you go to parades and get stuff? Poor kids that grew up here get real confused when they go to parades elsewhere. No "throws".

Mardi Gras beads anyone???