Thousands of New Orleans residents turn their homes into colorful 'house floats' after the city cancels this year's Mardi Gras festival amid the COVID pandemic
Thousands of New Orleans residents are decorating their houses to resemble Mardi Gras floats after the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of this year's elaborate event.
Mardi Gras is the biggest festival on the New Orleans calendar, with the two-week long celebrations usually held in February or March of each year.
Because tens of thousands of people pack into the city to celebrate, officials quickly called off this year's event - which was set to kick off on February 16 .
Louisiana has been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, with 341,211 cases recorded across the state and 8,090 death. A majority of those have occurred in and around New Orleans.
The state is still struggling through a second wave of the virus, with more than 2,000 new cases confirmed on Tuesday alone.
Despite the grim reality of the ongoing pandemic, plucky locals are still eager to enjoy the color and spirit of the Mardi Gras this year.
Thousands of New Orleans residents are decorating their houses to resemble Mardi Gras floats after the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of this year's elaborate event. Pictured: A home decorated to honor late blyes musician Dr. John who lived in the city
Despite the grim reality of the ongoing pandemic, plucky locals are still eager to enjoy the color and spirit of the Mardi Gras this year. Pictured: A home decorated in honor of New Orleans resident and jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain
One New Orleans family has decked out the front of their home with a large home clown statute to celebrate the color and spirit of Mardi Gras
A Mansion on St. Charles street is seen with a giant dinosaur statue out front earlier this month. It is one of thousands of homes which have been jazzed up ahead of the festivities
The Acadiana Hay Ride House, with decorations sponsored by Krewe of Red Beans, pays homage to zydeco pioneers Boozoo Chavis and Clifton Chenier and the "Cajun Hank Williams" D.L. Menard
Mardi Gras is the biggest festival on the New Orleans calendar, with the two-week long celebrations usually held in February or March of each year. Because tens of thousands of people pack into the city to celebrate, officials quickly called off this year's event - which was set to kick off on February 16. Crowds are seen on Bourbon Street during festivities in 2019
Bright and colorful floats are usually seen on the streets during Mardi Gras celebrations. However, this year, locals have channeled their creativity into decorating the exterior of their houses. Pictured: he Mystic Krewe of Nyx parade in NOLA last year
Back in November, after officials cancelled the event, resident Megan Joy Boudreaux posted to Twitter: 'Turn your house into a float and throw all the beads from your attic at your neighbors walking by.'
The idea initially started off as a joke, but Boudreaux soon started a Facebook group, the Krewe of House Floats, expecting a few friends and neighbors to join.
The numbers rose before 39 subgroups evolved to discuss neighborhood plans
Now, there are more than 9,000 members, including out-of-state 'expats' set to decorate their homes in solidarity.
Residents have made online maps showing whereabouts the decorated residences are located.
'I didn't think I was starting a Mardi Gras krewe. Here I am,' Boudreaux told the Associated Press.
'I've got myself a second full-time job.'
Thousands of New Orleans residents are decorating their houses to resemble Mardi Gras floats after the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of this year's elaborate event. Pictured: View of restaurant Commander's Palace decorated in honor of New Orleans resident and jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain
View of a home decorated to celebrate Mardi Gras with oversized Mardi Gras clowns
Despite the grim reality of the ongoing pandemic, plucky locals are still eager to enjoy the color and spirit of the Mardi Gras this year. Pictured: Designer Caroline Thomas looks at a house decorated like a parade float in the city
Kick-starting the economy! Some have hired or bought from out-of-work artists and suppliers affected by the parade cancellation. Pictured: Carley Sercovich hot glues an addition to a coral reef of boxes and spray foam at the foot of her front steps in the Algiers Point neighborhood of New Orleans
View of The Queen's Jubilee House, whose decorations are sponsored by Krewe of Red Beans. The idea to turn homes into 'house floats' has put struggling artists back to work and injected money into the local economy
Pictured: A view of The Queen's Jubilee House, whose decorations are sponsored by Krewe of Red Beans. Owners of small and large homes alike have been getting into the spirit by kitting out their properties
One home in the city decided to opt for a Jurassic theme, and planted large statues of dinosaurs in their front yard
View of "The Queen of Bounce" House decorated to honor rapper Big Freedia
Boudreaux says houses should be decorated two weeks before February 16 - when Mardi Gras was meant to kick off.
That gives people both the time and space to travel around the city to see the colorfully kitted-out homes.
Meanwhile, discussions in the Facebook groups include how-tos, ads for props and neighborhood themes. Artists have given livestreamed outdoor lessons.
Katie Bankens posted that her block's theme was Shark Week staycation paradise. When a resident worried that she was not 'crafty' enough, administrator Carley Sercovich replied that if they could play music and throw trinkets to neighbors, 'you are perfect for this Krewe!'
Boudreaux also suggested that people could hire or buy from out-of-work artists and suppliers hit by the parade cancellation.
A spreadsheet of artists and vendors followed. One of them, artist Dominic 'Dom' Graves, booked more than 20 five-person classes in professional papier mache techniques, at $100 a person.
Devin DeWulf, who already had started two pandemic charities as head of the Krewe of Red Beans walking club, kicked the house float idea up a few notches at the suggestion of Caroline Thomas, a professional float designer. Their 'Hire a Mardi Gras Artist' crowdfunded lotteries collected enough money to put crews to work decorating 11 houses, plus commissioned work at two more houses and seven businesses.
'We've put about 40 people to work, which is nice,' DeWulf told the Associated Press.
View of a home decorated to celebrate Mardi Gras with oversized Mardi Gras clowns. Despite the cancellation of this year's event, many are still eager to bring a celebratory spirit to the city
More than 9,000 people have joined the Facebook group 'Krewe of House Floats' and 39 subgroups have been formed. Pictured: Artists discussing decorations outside a home last week
Thom Karamus shows his paper mache head of the hookah-smoking caterpillar from 'Alice in Wonderland' in New Orleans last week
Madeline Fox and her husband, Tom Fox, stand on their porch in River Ridge with decorations made to decorate their yard for Mardi Gras. The pair believe that a new tradition has just started in the city
Charlotte 'Charlie' Jallans-Daly, right, and her wife, Sharon Jallans-Daly, pose for a picture behind giant ruby slippers which are part of Wizard of Oz 'house float' decorations for Mardi Gras
One home decked out like a tiki bar featured the sign 'Wasted Away Again in Coronaville'. The owner used styrafoam balls and red gold tees to recreate the COVID-19 virus
A mansion on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans has been decked out with a large statue of a dinoasaur. Because pandemic dangers from large and widespread crowds have canceled Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans this year, thousands of people are decorating their homes as floats
One commissioned house is rented by a pair of nuns.
Sisters Mary Ann Specha and Julie Walsh, who run a shelter for homeless women with children, had to get permission for their own crowdfunding from the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dubuque, Iowa.
'They loved it,' Specha stated.
Meanwhile, several mansions along a short stretch of St. Charles Avenue had elaborate displays with signs noting their creation by one of the city´s biggest float-making studios.
Tom Fox, whose wife, Madeline, painted a Spongebob Squarepants scene and made jellyfish from dollar store bowls, said he thinks a new tradition may have begun.
'Even when Mardi Gras comes back, I think people are going to keep doing this,' he said.
A top-hatted dinosaur is among Mardi Gras decorations in the yard of a mansion on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans
