Where do Mardi Gras Floats Come From?

First off, Happy Mardi Gras everyone! We just returned from Mardi Gras in my hometown of Mobile, Ala. I thought on this eve I would give everyone an inside look at the making of a Mardi Gras float. On Saturday since it was raining we visited one mystic society's float barn with my nephew, John Paul. Don't worry these beautiful floats are rolling down the streets of Mobile tonight!

Each year, a new theme for the entire parade is decided long in advance. This year this particular society chose "The Tempest" from Shakespeare and each float will depict certain scences or characters. The bases of each float are reused and if repairs are needed then those usually take place starting in the summer. First, the gold leafing is scrubbed off with a large brush and then any repairs are made. Floats are primed white to start with a clean slate and then the creation begins. Many old 'forms' are saved from year to year so they won't have to be rebuilt from scratch. For example, the cactus on the left below could be turned into field goal posts.

Heap of Forms:

Any new forms are attached and then the new design is laid out in charcoal and the basics are painted in. "Basics" mean the basic colors in the design: an area of red here, green there. Sometimes a basics painter will do this, other times the detail artist will do this himself. Once the basics are done, the detail work is painted onto the float. Finally, it is gold leafed and ready to go.

And the finished product!

With a future Reveler!

Laissez les bon temps roulez!

P.S.- For whoever came into Table Matters asking about the ice cream spoons - they will be in soon. If you want to message me, I can notify you when they are in. Right now there are just a few demi-tasse spoons in-stock!