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These photos are from Blane Kern's Mardi Gras World, much of which is open to the public. Sitting across the Mississippi River, their five warehouses design and create about 80% of the Mardi Gras floats that roll both here in New Orleans and other Krewes (clubs) around the region. The Krewes own the "bones" of the float, while Blane Kern's company owns the props. Most floats are completely torn down every year and totally rebuilt to match the year's theme, but there are some floats- particularly those with fiber optics and expensive gadgets- that are annual staples, like the lovely lady blowing her horn.

After the parade rolls, the floats are brought back to the warehouse, and the props carefully removed. Made of stryofoam and paper mache, some props can be reused as is for a different krewe, but most will be altered, repainted, recycled.