Each day our walks in Uptown get a little brighter and more whimsical and a lot more festive due to the “house floats,” popping up on people’s porches and in yards throughout the neighborhood.
The Krewe of House Floats and Krewe of Red Beans are the driving forces behind the movement designed to offer not only a way for New Orleanians to celebrate Carnival amid the pandemic, but also the initiative to employ the many artists, artisans, musicians and other creatives and workers who build floats and do so much of the behind the scenes magic throughout the season.
Fundraising is also an integral part of the work of both krewes, so if you aren’t able to create a house float of your own or hire an artist to do it (or you prefer spectating), but have a few dollars (or a lot of them) to spare, visit the krewes donation pages, linked below.
As we amble or drive through the city, each house float or lovingly decorated home, porch, yard or balcony spreads the warmth and festivity of Carnival, like the convivial drinks and food, handshakes and hugs shared during a normal season along the parade route. This time, the parades won’t roll down St. Charles or through Tremé and the French Quarter, rather, we are being invited to roll by our neighbor’s homes. That’s love.
Get Involved:
- Click here for the Krewe of House Floats’ campaign “to address unemployment, food insecurity and housing insecurity.” Visit the krewe’s Instagram page to keep track of the houses.
- Visit the Krewe of Red Beans’ Hire A Mardi Gras Artist page to hire an artist or donate. Click here to view photos and addresses for each of the houses on this as they are completed. Red Beans is also tracking the house float project and its other initiatives on its Instagram page.
- Meanwhile, if you are participating in either of the house float projects officially or unofficially, or you are otherwise decking out your home in festive Carnival spirit, enter New Orleans Magazine’s “Krewe of New Orleans” photo contest, presented by Sazerac House, for a chance to win a spotlight in the magazine, plus $1,000 grand prize. (More information and links provided below.)
DECORATING YOUR HOUSE FOR MARDI GRAS? Enter our sister publication New Orleans Magazine‘s Krewe of New Orleans Decoration Photo Contest and WIN BIG!!
Grand prize includes [ $1000 ] and a spotlight in the following New Orleans Magazine.
Click here to get more contest details and to enter!
