Mother Goose, Krewe of Bacchus 2015; Photo: I. Jack Gaines

It is just true that Mardi Gras will be cold. This has been one of the colder winters that I’ve spent in New Orleans, but it seems, without fail, I find myself shivering at my favorite parades each year. The only respite is to press up closer to your fellow parade-goers and jump and dance as the floats go by, and cheer for the krewes to throw you something. The thing that is thrown is always a “bead,” even when it’s not.

This year marks New Orleans’ tricentennial. If you are visiting, please keep your shirt on, and don’t wear beads unless it actually is Carnival season. Parade etiquette says that if the person on the float points to someone, the bead they throw goes to that person, even if you catch it. But if you’re a visitor and really…