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But no matter what, the people of this city have always found a way to come together and celebrate. Mardi Gras floats are a symbol of that spirit—a testament to the city's ability to rise above adversity and keep moving forward. The Power of Storytelling. At their core, Mardi Gras floats are about storytelling. But why do we have floats in Mardi Gras parades? There are a few reasons. First, floats add a touch of whimsy and fun to the parade. They also help to catch the attention of spectators lining the parade route. But more importantly, floats play an important role in Mardi Gras history. In the early days of the festival, floats were used as a way Mardi Gras Decorators of Slidell owns 36 floats and has a virtual monopoly on St. Tammany parades, handling Eve in Mandeville, Olympia in Covington, and Dionysus, Poseidon, Slidellians and Titans Many krewes have a theme to their parade each year, and so floats are created to reflect those themes. Thousands of dollars are poured into making these floats, and they're not made overnight. Krewes work on these creations year-round, often at secret "dens" around the city. The floats have become an integral part of the Mardi Gras tradition, weaving together elements of art, culture, and community celebration. In 1857, the Mistick Krewe of Comus introduced the first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, featuring a humble procession with only two borrowed floats froma New Year’s Eve parade in Mobile, Alabama. Mardi Gras parades have been a staple of New Orleans culture for over a century, and the floats have become an iconic part of the celebrations. The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans was organized by the Mistick Krewe of Comus in 1857, and it featured two borrowed floats from Mobile, Alabama’s New Year’s Eve parade. The 330-foot-long super float built by the Krewe of Endymion had to be separated in half on Saturday because it had to make a turn during its parade. When Did Floats Become Part Of Mardi Gras? Since the first parade float parade was held in New Orleans more than a century ago, parade floats have played an important role in the city’s history Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, which takes place March 4, marks the party’s climax and the end of Carnival Season on the Gulf Coast. The conclusion falls the day before Ash Wednesday and is seen as a final day of feasting and revelry before the solemnity of Lent. Reporting for TODAY, NBC’s Kaylee Hartung shares a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic floats in Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and the family behind its historic legacy. (Sponsored by New But, some of the most prized throws across every Mardi Gras krewe are doubloons. Small toys and strings of beads have been thrown by members of New Orleans Carnival krewes since the 1800s. “Wooden nickels” appeared during Carnival in the 1930s, but krewes started throwing coins made of aluminum beginning in the 1960s. Not only does Mardi Gras World made floats, they also made other iconic statues around the country, including standing M&M’s in New York and Las Vegas and the infamous Chick-fil-a cows. However, this process may take longer than you can imagine. What Does Mardi Gras Mean? Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and called the Mistick Krewe of Comus organized a torch-lit Mardi Gras procession with marching bands and rolling floats Mardi Gras happens every year. It's the day before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday starts Lent for Christians. Lent is when people give things up. Mardi Gras is a big party before that. 'Mardi Gras' is French, and it means 'Fat Tuesday. Individuals tend to consume rich foods during the festival. This is because they will fast throughout Lent. Their costumes, floats, some of their throws, and their "official" Mardi Gras poster (if they have one) reflect this theme. For example, after 9/11, patriotic themes were popular. Most of the krewes are named after figures from Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology, but some are named after the neighborhood where they parade. Signature floats including the animated Butterfly King Float, Jester, His Majesty's Bandwagon, and the Boeuf Gras will be joined by floats with titles such as Nouveau Cirque, Moulin Rouge, and Pelléas Mélisande. The 457 riders on 29 floats will be throwing float-specific beads and sports towels, stainless cups, wildflower kits, bubble kits Mardi Gras has religious roots, as it marks the last day before Lent in the Christian calendar, but today, it is also celebrated as a cultural and secular festival. 4. Do all Mardi Gras celebrations have parades? No, some places celebrate Mardi Gras with masquerade balls, street parties, and cultural events instead of large-scale parades. 5. About the experts. Jonathan Bertucceli is a third-generation float maker and the owner of Studio 3, a design studio that makes Mardi Gras floats.; Arthur Hardy is a fifth-generation New Orleanian Ever since krewes began parading through New Orleans over 100 years ago, parade floats have played a major role in Mardi Gras history. Some floats are elaborate and beautiful, while others are funny and satirical. Mardi Gras Floats Today. Today, Mardi Gras floats are created by various krewes, each with their own theme and design. Some krewes have historical or mythological themes, while others have more whimsical or satirical themes. The floats are typically made of wood and paper-mâché and can be quite large and complex. Floats can be, on average, 50 In 2025, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, March 4. Mardi Gras—just one of the festival’s many names—is marked by raucous parties and parades, revelers wearing elaborate costumes, and delicious
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