Mardi Gras is here! While you’re out on the route with your family and friends, think about all the fun Mari Gras traditions you grew up with as a kid, from making little dogs out of your beads to dancing with the band–things we all did growing up–and how we’re passing these fun traditions onto the next generation. Here are 12 Mardi Gras traditions every New Orleanian grew up with. Can you think of any others?

1. Getting the baby in a king cake at school.
John W. Schulze/Flickr
It was such a thrill as a kid. Somehow, it lost its luster as an adult.
2. Begging your parents for money when you saw the carts.
Paul Sableman/Flickr
You just HAD to have one of those multi-colored wigs and a box of those popper things if you’re at a parade!
3. Getting put in one of these.
Derek Bridges/Flickr
Did anyone else have that scary feeling that you were going to fall?
4. Dancing with the marching bands.
Angie Antimatter/Flickr
It was always such a thrill when they stopped in front of you to break down their dance moves .
5. Being amazed by the flambeaux fellas
Justin McGregor/Flickr
Their tricks were so cool and definitely part of Mardi Gras traditions in New Orleans, among the many other traditions in the city.

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6. The thrill of getting a spear.
Derek Bridges/Flickr
And you never let it go throughout the entire parade!
7. Timing your screams with your friends to increase the possibility of the people on the float hearing you.
Shreveport Bossier/Flickr
Especially important if they were teasing with a spear, stuffed animal, or Zulu coconut. Yes, this is some of the weird stuff we love to do here in New Orleans!
8. Twisting your beads into a dog.
DaPuglet (Tina)/Flickr
And making our beloved dogs wear them as well! Poor babies!
9. Wearing as many beads as you possibly can.
Nathan Rupert/Flickr
Until your neck was about to break from the weight of these beautiful bobbles.
10. Being lifted onto someone’s shoulders for an upcoming float.
Miguel Discart/Flickr
When you’re a kid, you were always bummed when they had to put you down. Now, as an adult putting kids on your shoulders for anything longer than one float feels like you’re shoulders are going to break off. Well heck, let's just make them stand on their own two feet!
11. Feeling like you won Mardi Gras if someone you knew on a float recognized you.
Nathan Rupert/Flickr
Because you were showered with beads, which is one of the most fun things to do in New Orleans for the first time.

12. Jamming out to tunes like "Mardi Gras Mambo"
Also, "Ain’t No Place To Pee On Mardi Gras Day". I don’t think there’s a song that speaks the truth as well as that song. The above song is courtesy of Youtube user themetersfunk.

What are some other Mardi Gras traditions you grew up with? We’d love to read about them in the comments section below!

To learn about the makings of all things Mardi Gras, learn more in this article about Mardi Gras World.

If you’re looking for fun other things to do in Louisiana, take a look at this video:

 

 

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