Mardi Gras Floats & Parades New Orleans

Parades are a major part of celebrating Mardi Gras, and what's a parade without some really great floats? Ever since krewes (social organization that puts o a parade or a ball for the Carnival season) began parading through New Orleans over 100 years ago, parade floats have played a major role in Mardi Gras history.

Some floats are elaborate and beautiful, while others are funny and satirical. Many krewes have a theme to their parade each year, and so floats are created to reflect those themes. Thousands of dollars are poured into making these floats, and they're not made overnight. Krewes work on these creations year-round, often at secret "dens" around the city. Krewes take their floats seriously.

Dozens of krewe members will ride on each float and there are anywhere from 15-40 full-size floats in any given parade, tossing beads and homemade "throws" to cheering crowds chanting "Throw Me Something, Mister"  (or "Miss" as the case may be)!

Kern Studios, the world leader in float creation, has been a part of Mardi Gras history since 1932. Now the family-owned and operated business designs and builds floats for festivals and celebrations all over the world. See the magical creations by Kern Studios on display year around Mardi Gras World.

Mardi Gras World

The rich history of Kern Studios dates back to 1932, when the first mule-drawn float was built on the back of a garbage wagon.

The early days of what has grown into Kern Studios started with Roy Kern, a local artist-turned-sign-painter who worked his way through the Depression by painting names and signs on the bows of freighters and barges.

Roy and his son Blaine built their first Mardi Gras float together on the back on a mule-drawn wagon in 1932. Unable to pay his mother’s medical bills, Blaine offered to paint a mural in the hospital, which caught the eye of a surgeon who was also the captain of a Mardi Gras Krewe. This captain invited Blaine to design and build floats for his Krewe, and Kern Studios was officially founded in its current form in 1947. One float led to another, and before long Blaine became the city’s leading parade designer and builder, working with Rex, Zulu and other legendary krewes.

Blaine Kern travelled throughout Europe to apprentice under the world’s leading float and costume makers. During several trips to Italy, France, and Spain, Blaine became inspired by the extravagant concepts and animation that marked the European style of float building.

He brought these ideas to New Orleans and developed the monumental scale and lavish ornamentation of today’s spectacular Mardi Gras floats. Blaine Kern was instrumental in the formative years of some of New Orleans’ biggest parades and “Super Krewes” and is still known as “Mr. Mardi Gras.”

After many requests for private tours of Kern Studios from people wanting a sneak-peak of Mardi Gras, the Kerns decided to open up the working studio to the public. In 1984, Mardi Gras World was created as a tourist attraction to provide visitors a behind-the-scenes look of our work. Widely successful, the attraction draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world each year.

Krewes parading on Mardi Gras Day

Krewe of Zulus

Their first appearance as Zulus came in 1909, with William Story as King. The group wore raggedy pants, and had a Jubilee-singing quartet in front of and behind King Story. His costume of "lard can" crown and "banana stalk" scepter has been well-documented. The Kings following William Story in the early days were similarly attired.
The year 1915 heralded the first use of floats, constructed on a spring wagon, using dry good boxes. The float was decorated with palmetto leaves and moss and carried four Dukes along with the King. That humble beginning gave rise to the lavish floats we see in the Zulu parade today.

Today Zulu is famous for their coconut throw – quite possibly the most coveted throw in all of Mardi Gras. Zulu’s honor guard is called the Soulful Warriors; and they have characters including Big Shot, Witch Doctor, Ambassador, Mayor, Province Prince, Governor and Mr. Big Stuff.
The most famous Krewe of Zulu king was Louis Armstrong who reigned in 1949.

Krewe of Bacchus

Early in 1968, the Krewe of Bacchus broke with Carnival tradition by staging a Sunday night parade with bigger and more spectacular floats than anything previously seen in Carnival. They then decided to have a national celebrity king lead the parade, breaking ranks with 113 years of Carnival tradition. Founded by Owen “Pip” Brennan Jr, Bacchus set out to be the most innovative and imitate Krewe of the Century.
Now, with more than 1,600 members and 31 animated super-floats, the Krewe of Bacchus is revered as one of the most spectacular krewes in Carnival history. Some of the parade's super floats include the Bacchagator, Bacchasaurus, Bacchaneer, Kong Family, and Baccha-Whoppa. The Krewe of Bacchus holds its parade on the Sunday before Mardi Gras Day, drawing crowds of several hundred thousands every year. After travelling through the streets of New Orleans with its massive floats, marching bands, and ceremonial escort groups it ends up inside the Convention Center for their black-tie Rendezvous party of over 9,000 guests from all over the country.
Bacchus, the Greek god of wine, has been portrayed by celebrities including Bob Hope, Charlton Heston, William Shatner, Kirk Douglas, Dick Clark, Will Ferrell, Anthony Mackie, Hugh Laurie, Drew Brees and JK Simmons, just to name a few.

Krewe of Rex

With his grand traditions, rich and colorful themes, elaborate costumes and hand-painted floats, Rex is the King of Carnival. 
Rex, officially the School of Design, has held more parades than any other organization. They are the origin of many Mardi Gras traditions, including the official Carnival colors of purple, green and gold, as well as the collectible doubloon coins (introduced by Rex in 1960). The Krewe consists of 600 male riders and parades on the New Orleans Uptown route on Mardi Gras day, immediately after Zulu. 
Founded in 1872, the Krewe of Rex is one of the oldest participating groups in Mardi Gras. They formed in a New Orleans still recovering from the Civil War as a way to entice tourists to visit the city and businesses to put down roots in the community. The city’s businessman originally organized Rex to put on a spectacle for the visiting of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia. The krewe’s official song – "If Ever I Cease to Love" – is heard throughout New Orleans in the Mardi Gras season.
Every year, one member of the Rex organization is selected to be Rex, the monarch of the krewe for the year. (He’s often called King Rex, but his correct title is just “Rex.”) Rex is always an influential resident involved in a multiple civic causes and philanthropic pursuits. Rex’s identity is kept secret until Lundi Gras, the day before Mardi Gras. Traditionally, the mayor hands Rex a symbolic key to the city.

Krewe of Endymion

Endymion, a figure from Greek mythology, was a mortal granted eternal youth by Zeus, at the request of the Moon Goddess who loved him for his beauty. It is also the name of Carnival's largest parade with 3,100 riders and 37 floats.
Founded in 1967, Endymion emerged as one of Carnival's 'Super-Krewes' in 1974 when it added more floats and celebrity guests. Endymion is so popular that those in the know begin saving their viewing spots in the early morning hours, even though the parade doesn't start until evening.
The Krewe of Endymion is host to Samedi Gras, the greatest block party on earth. drawing 30,000+ from Mid-City neighborhoods to help kick off Endymion. The krewe's motto is "Throw 'til it Hurts." They estimate that they toss more than 15 million throws along the parade route which ends with a ride through the Mercedes Benz Superdome for the Endymion Extravaganza.
In recent years, Celebrity Grand Marshalls have included Anderson Cooper, Kelly Ripa, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Steven Tyler, Pitbull, KC and the Sunshine Band, Kiss and Flo-Rida.

Other Krewes

Krewe du Vieux

The Krewe du Vieux is more fully known as the Krewe du Vieux Carré. The parade begins in the Marigny and slowly meanders its way through the Vieux Carré. It is one of the earliest parades of the New Orleans Carnival calendar, and is noted for wild satirical and adult themes, as well as for showcasing a large number of New Orleans' best brass bands.
The Krewe du Vieux was established in 1987. It is actually an amalgamation of several smaller semi-independent krewes (or sub-krewes) that pool their resources together for parade permits and other expenses and obligations. In 2006, less than six months after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Krewe du Vieux was the first Mardi Gras parade to roll through the streets of New Orleans. The theme that year was "C'est Levee". 

Krewe of Barkus

The Mystic Krewe of Barkus isn’t like other Mardi Gras parades: this one has gone to the dogs. Man’s best friend is the center of this parade through the streets of the French Quarter with their humans acting as their escorts.
Barkus was created in 1992 at a meeting of the Margaret Orr (WDSU-TV Weather Anchor) Fan Club held at Good Friends Bar. Thomas Wood brought his dog "Jo Jo McWood," but people complained about the dog's neurotic ways while in the meeting. Thomas decided to make Jo Jo McWood the Queen of her own parade and captain-for-life, as a way to get back at them. Thus, the Krewe of Barkus was born.
Barkus is an officially licensed Mardi Gras Krewe, and your dog can be part of the celebration. Registration information is available on their website and on the day of the event. For humans, there is a Barkus Royal Ball.
Barkus themes have included “Welcome to the Flea Market,” “Jurassic Bark,” and “Joan of Bark.”

Krewe of Muses

Organized in 2000, the Krewe of Muses is named after the legendary daughters of Zeus. In Greek mythology, muses were patrons of the arts and sciences, as well as sources of inspiration for artists, poets, philosophers, and musicians.
The parade has become one of Mardi Gras' favorites, thanks to its humorous and biting parade themes. Each year, in addition to their year-long philanthropic works, the Muses host a design contest for students in the area. The winner rides as a guest of the krewe and his or her design is turned into a throw cup!
In addition to allowing students to design their throw cup logos, they also have had children design their masks. Now those duties have been passed along to adults, such as senior citizens and other adults in rehabilitative environments that may have not been able to participate in the parade as parade goers.