| What many people don’t realize is that there are | | | | are treated to the biggest parades and floats. The |
| many different Mardi Gras Parades. These take place | | | | Zulus and Krewe Rex are only two of the groups that |
| throughout the Carnival Season. There are specific | | | | take part in the day’s festivities. There are many |
| times and routes that belong to different Krewes. This | | | | wonderful surprises in store for the crowds and they |
| is when they get to display their dazzling floats, bands, | | | | are anxious to see what new floats will be debuted by |
| and enthusiasm to millions of viewers. | | | | the Krewes. |
| If you think that the big holiday parades that are | | | | Blaine Kern is the genius who creates the majority of |
| televised nationally are spectacular….Then You Really | | | | the unique Mardi Gras floats. His masterpieces are all |
| Ain’t Seen Mardi Gras Yet! These Mardi Gras | | | | “one of a kind” masterpieces that take art and |
| floats are enormous constructions that can cost more | | | | animation to new levels of excellence. He has created |
| than $700,000 to build. Some of the best-loved floats | | | | floats for almost all of the Krewes for many years. |
| are updated and refurbished so that they can return | | | | Every Mardi Gras, he manages to top the success |
| and delight the crowds, but new ones always make an | | | | and brilliance of his previous designs. |
| appearance. | | | | These Mardi Gras floats are often constructed to |
| The Krewes and their guests will ride on the floats and | | | | carry over 100 costumed revelers and all of the |
| toss plastic cups, moon pies, candy, beads, or | | | | throws that will be tossed out along the way. Parades |
| doubloons to the thousands lining the streets. People | | | | of the past have included floats depicting King Kong, |
| will try everything to capture the attention of those | | | | Queen Kong, dragons, whales, and gods. There was |
| who are riding the floats. Some women will flash the | | | | even one spectacular float that was designed to |
| Krewe members, others come dressed in killer | | | | show the city of New Orleans. An enormous |
| costumes, and some climb lampposts or perch atop | | | | one-armed bandit was the most eye-catching feature, |
| ladders so they can be seen. Everywhere you look, | | | | especially since it was paying off armloads of gold |
| you will see people dancing, jumping, waving, and | | | | doubloons along the parade route. |
| shouting. A common plea that is heard is, “Hey, | | | | This year, crowds are already anxious to see the |
| Mister…Throw me something.” | | | | Mardi Gras Floats and what the Krewes and Blaine |
| Fat Tuesday is the official Mardi Gras Day and the | | | | Kern have in store for them. |
| climax of Carnival Season. This is the when spectators | | | | |