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Mardi Gras Bead Dog History
Up until the 1960's New Orleans Mardi Gras parade krewes threw glass beads. In the mid 1960's plastic beads replaced glass beads as the throw of choice. Often, when beads were thrown from floats they became tangled and broken. Children enjoyed sorting through the tangled beads. Soon, they discovered when the beads were twisted in various directions they could create different animals. The most popular, and the easiest to make, was the bead dog. Various school clubs, including Cub Scouts and Brownie Troops, and children's fundraising groups began making the little bead dogs and selling them for fundraising activities.
In 2008, Haydel's Bakery commissioned local New Orleans artist, Philip Weddle, who created his rendering of the old time bead dog trinket. As of 2008- 2009 Mardi Gras season, Haydel's began offering Mardi Gras Bead Dog merchandise. Items included children & adult apparel, original artwork and a host of other fun accessories.
Today, a full sized Mardi Gras Bead Dog mascot greets our customers daily upon entering our retail location. In the spirit of this New Orleans tradition, Haydel's Bakery donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Mardi Gras Bead Dog merchandise to a charitable organization each year. Annually, Haydel's Bakery sells raffle tickets for customers to take a chance to win a full sized sculpture. 100 % of the proceeds from this raffle are donated to a local charity of choice. The Mardi Gras Bead Dog is one of their philanthropic ways to give back to the community.
2017-2018
THE ROOTS OF MUSIC
100% of the proceeds went to The Roots of Music.
2016-2017
JEFFERSON PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY
100% of the proceeds went to the Jefferson Performing Arts Society.
2015-2016
LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN FOUNDATION 100% of the proceeds went to 610 Stompers charities.
100% of the proceeds went to Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation.
2014-2015
610 STOMPERS
100% of the proceeds went to 610 Stompers charities.
2012-2013
TEAM GLEASON
100% of the proceeds were donated to Team Gleason.
2011-2012
LOUISIANA SPCA
100% of the Proceeds donated to LASPCA and was also part of the Paws on Parade Public Art Project.
2010-2011
SUSAN G. KOMEN
100% of the Proceeds were donated to Susan G. Komen of New Orleans.
2009-2010
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
100% of the Proceeds were donated to Children's Hospital New Orleans.
2008-2009
PURPLE MARDI GRAS BEAD DOG STATUE
100% of the Proceeds raised were donated to the LASPCA.
Meet the artist: Philip Lee Weddle
Philip is a graduate of the Art Institute of Phoenix for Animation Design and Media Arts. He pursues his artistic endeavors with his hometown in mind. Born and raised in New Orleans, Philip has a true sense of what it means to love New Orleans. His focus on local design, music and culture prompted Haydel’s Bakery to commission him to develop the version of our local favorite, The Mardi Gras Bead Dog.