photo credit: WhereYaAt.com

Did you know there’s a krewe in New Orleans that throws coconuts instead of beads on Mardi Gras? I love this town.

Happy Mardi Gras! As we speak, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club is mounting their float and loading it with several hundred coconuts.

Still on my travel bucket list is not only to witness a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, but also to catch one of these coveted, hand-painted coconuts. This tradition began when the men of the Zulu Krewe, unable to afford the glass necklaces the other krewes gave the crowd, went down to the French Market and bought, you guessed it, coconuts. This was the early 20th century, without a Party City in sight. So, they shaved them and hand painted them and the rest is history…

Until the late 80’s when some yuppie got hit in the noggin’ with a coconut and sued everyone when they came to. Way to ruin everything, bros.

The Zulu were not allowed to toss their coveted coconuts until Governor Edwards of the great state of Louisiana signed State Bill #SB188, known locally as the Coconut Bill, once again allowing coconuts to be hurled into crowds.

Again. I love this town.

To avoid coconut-related injuries, Zulu Krewe now hollows out the drupe so it won’t hurt as bad, but after a few grenades, you won’t feel a thing anyway.

Read more at Where Y’at about this and all other Mardi Gras traditions in New Orleans.