For nearly 80 years, Kern Studios has been the premier float builder for the Mardi Gras carnival season, a New Orleans tradition that dates back to the 1700s. Building Mardi Gras parades is a year-round effort at Kern Studios. You can get a peek into the process at Mardi Gras World, our working warehouses that are open to the public. Kern Studios is the go-to company for custom fabricated props, creative parade floats and spectacular parades. Mardi Gras World; River City Venues; Contact; Call 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 Mardi Gras World is open 7 days a week, from 9:00am to 5:30pm, with the first admission beginning at 9:00am and last admission at 4:30pm. Mardi Gras World is closed on Christmas and Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving, Easter and Mardi Gras Day. For directions, visit our Getting Here page > Kern Studios recently welcomed the fourth generation of leadership. Fitz Kern, Barry’s oldest son, has joined to oversee the company’s operations and strategic planning. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Kern Studios and Mardi Gras World sustained severe wind damage but were spared from flooding. The warehouses and power A family-run company, Kern Studios dates back to 1932, when Roy Kern an artist who became a sign painter built his first Mardi Gras Float with the help of his young son, Blaine. In 1947, Blaine founded Blaine Kern Artists and began a float-building career and created the most prolific float building company in the world [ 1 ] building floats Mardi Gras World (also known as Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, MGW) is a tourist attraction located in New Orleans. Guests tour the 300,000 square foot working warehouse where floats are made for Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. [ 1 ] Since 1947, Kern Studios has built the breathtaking floats that are seen in Mardi Gras parades and in celebrations, both in New Orleans and around the world&ellips; all housed at Mardi Gras World. Experience what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life! Walk through massive studios where floats are being built from the ground up. Casey Hano, a prop painter at Kern Studios, paints parrots for the side of a Krewe of Cleopatra float at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. (Photo by Chris Granger, The Making Mardi Gras Magic. This fantasy factory and tourist attraction on the Mississippi River, in addition to serving as a float warehouse, or “den,” and parade-staging area, houses a working studio for making floats, sculptures, props and thematic architecture not just for Mardi Gras but also an international clientele including theme parks, casinos and hotels, restaurants and retail Rooted in the unique Mardi Gras culture of New Orleans, Kern Studios is the premier specialty fabrication company for parades, custom 3D props for outdoor advertising, and themed environments. Kern Studios strives to create memorable entertainment experiences that exceed clients’ expectations by combining tradition and innovation. Mardi Gras World; River City Venues; Contact; Call +1 504.362.8211; Our emphasis on embracing modern technology to enhance our work truly sets Kern Studios apart. For a real, behind-the-scenes look at New Orleans Mardi Gras, there’s only one definitive experience: the Mardi Gras World tour. Where Every Day Is Mardi Gras! Call now! 504-361-7821 In addition to 18 Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans each year, Kern Studios builds parades around the world for theme parks, holiday celebrations, professional and collegiate sports celebrations, state fairs, musical festivals, and more. Mardi Gras World; River City Venues; Contact; Call +1 504.362.8211; Search. Search for: Careers. Kern Studios is a fast-paced, creative, hands-on working Kern Studios, which builds Mardi Gras floats for parades in New Orleans and beyond, was featured in a QuickBooks commercial during Eagles game for NFC championship.
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