Get an inside viewinto preparations for one of the world’s most famous annual festivals.
MardiGras in New Orleans is a way of life, a time when this already energetic citylights up even further with daily parades and festivities. Most cities arecontent to throw celebrations that run for a few days, but in New Orleans theparade season begins in January and builds up steam until “Fat Tuesday,” theday before Ash Wednesday. At Mardi Gras World, however, the carnival seasonruns all year round.
Mardi Gras World is alarge, warehouse-style building located on the banks of the Mississippi River.It forms part of the studios of Blaine Kern, a celebrated local artist with aninternationally recognised flair for creating floats and props.
The working studiogrew from humble beginnings. In the 1940s, a young Blaine Kern first publiclydemonstrated his artistic skills by painting a mural on a hospital wall aspartial payment for his ailing mother’s bills. Spotted by a float captain, hewas asked to work on a design for the forthcoming parade. He was soon a hugelysought-after artist, and his visions brought floats to life on a scale neverseen before. Today, his designs are no longer limited to carnival floats. Hisstudio is also responsible for some of the props you see at Disneyland,Universal Studios and other major theme parks.
Wander through afantasyland of floats and props that have made each carnival special. Join theone-hour studio tour which commences every half hour to see master float buildersat work and get a behind-the-scenes peek into the technology which brings thefloats to life. Tours are included in your admission price. Afterwards, soak upthe views of the Mississippi River as it rolls past the Mardi Gras World Café.
MardiGras World houses one of the most dazzling “museum archives” in the world andgives visitors insight into this fascinating sub-culture. It's open seven daysa week, except major public holidays and Mardi Gras. A free shuttle is providedwith ticket purchase with pickups in 20 convenient locations.
