Thousands of New Orleans residents turn their own homes into Mardi Gras 'floats' after the city cancels this year's festival amid the COVID pandemic
Thousands of New Orleans residents are decorating their houses to resemble Mardi Gras floats 'to cheer people up' after the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of this year's elaborate event.
Mardis Gras is the biggest festival on the New Orleans calendar and was supposed to kick off in just 18 days time.
But because tens of thousands of people usually pack into the city to celebrate, officials quickly called off this year's event.
The two-week long celebrations are usually held in February or March each year - this year's festivities were supposed to begin on February 16.
Louisiana has been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, with 394,909 cases recorded across the state and 8,743 deaths. 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 2,500 new cases confirmed on Thursday 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.
Kook Teflon, a local psychic medium, has created her 'Haus of Fortune' themed house float to 'cheer people up'.
'A lot of people say they have been depressed, and the porch cheers them up,' Teflon told Nola.com. 'There have been pandemics throughout time. We have to find ways not to sink into our hopelessness.'
Thousands of New Orleans residents are decorating their houses to resemble Mardi Gras floats 'to cheer people up' after the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of this year's elaborate event. Pictured: A home decorated in honor of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club
Mardis Gras is the biggest festival on the New Orleans calendar and was supposed to kick off in just 18 days time. Pictured: View of the Harmony String Trio House in New Orleans
New Orleans rapper Big Freedia, named Grand Marshal of the Krewe of House Floats 2021, poses for a photo in front of the 'Queen of Bounce' House
Kook Teflon, a local psychic medium, has created her 'Haus of Fortune' themed house float to 'cheer people up'
But because tens of thousands of people usually pack into the city to celebrate, officials quickly called off this year's event. Pictured: View of the Alice in Wonderland House
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: View of the Birds of Bulbancha House, whose decorations are sponsored by Krewe and Red Beans
Local residents Jennifer and Doug Walner hired the Krewe of Red Beans to design and create their 'Queen's Jubilee' at their St. Charles Avenue mansion (pictured)
The design includes the Walner family - Jennifer, Doug and their two sons Cooper, 20, and Charlie, 17, and dog Tommy - on the mansion's balcony wearing royal costumes and face masks
Local residents Jennifer and Doug Walner hired the Krewe of Red Beans to design and create their 'Queen's Jubilee' at their St. Charles Avenue mansion.
The design includes the Walner family - Jennifer, Doug and their two sons Cooper, 20, and Charlie, 17, and dog Tommy - on the mansion's balcony wearing royal costumes and face masks.
'It's a play on the Mardi Gras mask,' explained Jennifer. 'This is Covid time, and you need to wear a mask.
'We miss gathering with friends and family, but I don't think anyone is surprised or sad that Mardi Gras isn't happening, because we want life to come back in one way or another.'
Meanwhile Elizabeth Alpaugh's cottage has designed her own house float called 'Bloom de Fleur'. She spent hours designing 24 flowers for her home and encourages others to get creative.
'Think about what aspects of Mardis Gras make you happy, start brainstorming, go to a craft store and use what you have around the house,' she said. 'Do something that brings you joy.'
Louisiana has been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, with 394,909 cases recorded across the state and 8,743 deaths. A majority of those have occurred in and around New Orleans. Pictured: View of a home decorated with a huge pot, vegetables, and lobster to honor Chef Leah Chase
A household decides to decorate its house with a large joker statute to celebrate the color and spirit of Mardi Gras
The iconic Bernie Sanders inauguration pose has joined the festivities. The Bernie Sanders figure, wearing a face mask and the now famous mittens, sits on a bench next to a sign which reads 'Waiting for the Parade'
The aptly named 'Bee Hive House' features bees wearing joker hats to keep in the spirit and color of Mardi Gras
View of a home decorated in honor of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans
A beautiful white house is decorated with bright yellow and blue Mardi Gras sunflowers
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
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.'
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.
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
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.' Pictured: The Bee house features large flowers and bees
The Birds of Bulbancha House features dozens of intricately detailed birds of paradise as well as exotic flowers
A view of spray painted ladders, fitted with a sign 'Reserved for 2020' and seats attached to the top for children to catch Mardi Gras beads
A house features alligators, snakes and grave stones in honor of Marie Laveau, Voodoo Queen of New Orleans
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
View of "The Queen of Bounce" House decorated to honor rapper Big Freedia
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'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
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
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.
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
View of a home decorated to celebrate Mardi Gras with oversized Mardi Gras clowns
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 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.
