Lessons in Mardi Gras Prop and Float Making

One of our amazing adventures while in New Orleans was visiting Mardi Gras World.  This was an wonderful discovery during our stay in the Big Easy.

Mardi Gras World offers a behind the scenes tour and look into Mardi Gras, the history of the pre-Lenten celebration and its traditions.  We were able to dress up in authentic Mardi Gras costumes, eat King Cake, and see how the magic is made in the working studio that operates year round.

Who looks more thrilled?

Having fun!

Even Major got in on the dress up!

Matchy-matchy!

For me, visiting Mardi Gras World was a crafters paradise to see how they make these amazing floats and props come to life from such basic materials such as Styrofoam, poster board, Kraft paper and basic flour and water paper mache.  The process was amazing!

To start, the sculptors have a sketch of what they want to create based on a theme for that particular parade.  (Last year there were more than 50 parades.)  Then they sculpt the prop from layers upon layers of Styrofoam that has been glued together.

Once the sculpture is complete, they cover it with paper mache (Kraft paper and a mixture of flour and water paste) to make it smooth and easy to paint.

Finally, it goes to the painters to be completed.

The entire process can take about 6 weeks, depending on the complexity of a Styrofoam prop.  But aren't they amazing?  I would LOVE this job!  

(NOTE:  In another warehouse of the studio, Mardi Gras World also makes props from fiberglass that are much heavier, but longer lasting for theme parks such as Disney, 6 Flags, etc.  They even make all the cows for the Chik-fil-a billboards.)

In addition to the artistic props that are made in the studio, are the floats that are created to carry some 40 riders per float.  They are massive, and for a brand new float to be created for a parade costs upwards of $100K.  Here are just a few:

  

Did you notice all the remarkable flowers on the floats?  They are made simply from poster board that has been cut, painted and curled.  For those of you how are avid paper crafters like me and use your Cricut machine to create paper flowers, it is the same concept, just on a much larger scale!  ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

If you are ever in New Orleans, I HIGHLY recommend a trip to Mardi Gras World.  It is well worth it.  You will learn something and have fun at the same time.  Just be careful not to get bitten by one of the props like Russell did when he got to close!

Until next time, and more fun crafty adventures,
Roberta
The Traveling Crafter