Mardi Gras “float” decorations on a home in New Orleans.Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty
Despite logistical hurdles this year amid the ongoingCOVID-19 crisis, New Orleans residents are still letting the good times roll this carnival season.
Since then, Boudreaux has created theKrewe of House Floats, which she recently toldThe New York Posthas become “a second full-time job” for her.
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Mardi Gras “float” decorations on a home in New Orleans.Erika Goldring/Getty
Just like the floats in the parades, each house boasts a different theme, from the circus toA Midsummer Night’s Dreamto the late New Orleans jazz legendDr. Johnand more. Some neighborhoods even have bigger themes going, with everyone on the block getting into the spirit of the season.
Boudreaux’s initiative — and her accompanyingFacebook groupfor the krewe, which boasts more than 12,000 members — inspired artist Caroline Thomas, who designs floats for the 19th-century-founded Krewe of Proteus and Krewe of Rex (the latter of which usually runs its parade on Mardi Gras day), to launch a service calledHire a Mardi Gras Artist.
“You can’t imagine New Orleans without the float builders,” Krewe of Red Beans founder Devin de Wulf toldAtlas Obscuraof the dozens of people working on the decorations. “We have to step up and create work for them.”
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“I know a lot of folks are sad and disappointed that Mardi Gras cannot be normal this year, but I am hoping that Krewe of House Floats can be a way for folks to channel their creative energy, make something positive out of a bad situation, and have something to look forward to in 2021,” readsa message from Boudreaux on the site.
“This is really about coming up with creative ways to celebrate carnival that keep everyone safe until we can get through to the other side of this pandemic,” she adds.
“The magic of Carnival, while often billed as the ‘Greatest Free Show on Earth,’ isn’t possible without float artisans, service industry workers, musicians, Mardi Gras Indians and other culture bearers,” the release continued. “Donations to the KoHF campaign are completely tax-deductible through a partnership with theGreater New Orleans Foundation.”
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This will be the first time in over 40 years that the streets of New Orleans don’t host a series of Mardi Gras parades leading up to Fat Tuesday, which falls on Feb. 16 this year.
Earlier this month,Hoda Kotbannounced on theTodayshow that she would be hosting a virtual event titledMardi Gras for All Y’all. Beginning Feb. 12, the three-night celebration was stream onNOLA.comandtheadvocate.com, as well as YouTube and Facebook Live, featuring performances, interviews and behind-the-scenes segments of the festivities.
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source: people.com
