Daphne updates rules on Mardi Gras throws

Guy Busby
Government Editor
guy@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 11/16/22

DAPHNE Moon Pies no longer have to be made in America to be legally thrown at Daphne Mardi Gras parades, but float riders cannot toss wooden objects or anything weighing more than 2 pounds under an …

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Daphne updates rules on Mardi Gras throws

Posted

DAPHNE - Moon Pies no longer have to be made in America to be legally thrown at Daphne Mardi Gras parades, but float riders cannot toss wooden objects or anything weighing more than 2 pounds under an ordinance passed by the city council.

The council voted Monday, Nov. 7, to give final approval to an ordinance setting restrictions on Carnival parades.

Mayor Robin LeJeune said the ordinance is an effort to update regulations and was not the result of any problems or complaints about activities at past parades.

"It was more just clearing up some language and making a little more clarification for safety of the citizens but also just clarify for the organizations because organizations have been fabulous for the city of Daphne," LeJeune said.

LeJeune said City Clerk Candance Antinarella has been going over old ordinances to see which regulations need to be updated. He said the Mardi Gras ordinance was approved almost 20 years ago and officials do not know why some rules were included.

"We took out the language about a Moon Pie being made in America. I don't know what was going on back in 2003," LeJeune said. "Our language says it has to be individually wrapped and stuff like that. But we're not checking Moon Pies to see if they're made in America or not, so we just took that piece out."

He said the new ordinance was modified to include additional safety rules.

"One of the things we added was weight limits, you can't throw anything over two pounds," LeJeune said. "That's just simple. For a big, huge bags of beads that are 15 pounds and hits somebody in the crowd. That just gives a little more clarification."

He said the ordinance also restricts some objects that were not included in previous regulations.

"One of the things we said you can't throw any wood objects, bamboo spears and stuff like that, that could cause some harm and just common-sense stuff. Don't throw frozen foods, produce. Just simple things like that. The original ordinance was a little vague," LeJeune said. "Not that there's been a problem with food or produce, but it was just, let's go ahead and at least clarify, so there isn't a question down the road."