Irish parade

So, I went to the St. Patrick's/Irish/whatever you want to call it parade today, but stupid me forgot my camera, so I apologize.

In case you don't know what goes down: It's like Mardi Gras, except they just don't throw beads; They throw cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and onion. They also have men and women walking carrying flowers and when you get one you kiss them on the cheek (or lips, apparently). During the parade, I began to wonder: How did this all begin?

And this is what I found:

The first St. Patrick's Parade in New Orleans was held in 1809. It began due to the large amount of immigrants that came to New Orleans due to it's Catholic appeal and persecution by the British in at the end of 1700s.

And that's about the only set in stone information I could find. Other facts, I figured were based loosely on who you ask:

You throw the vegetables to make Irish stew.

You're supposed to throw the cabbages at Protestants.

And that's all I found about that. Unfortunately, I was unable to find out how the whole "flower for kiss" thing started. Maybe it has to do with the whole "Kiss me, I'm Irish" thing?

Next parade's on the 21st (or at least the one I plan to attend).

WEAR SUNSCREEN!