Finding agriculture at Mardi Gras

Walking through Mardi Gras World, I didn’t expect to find a connection to agriculture. I was there to learn how the Mardi Gras parade floats are designed and built. As it turns out, some of the designs include agriculture themes. Many of the floats are pulled by tractors instead of horses or mules.

We started our tour of the 300,000-square-foot working warehouse with a video about the history of Mardi Gras. I was surprised to learn there isn’t one parade, but a series of parades held over two weeks. Each parade is coordinated by a krewe, a social organization that does philanthropic work. These krewes stage parades and balls for Carnival season. Most of the krewes are all male. The first female krewe formed in 1917, and the first to parade was the Krewe of Venus in 1941.

This is where Mardi Gras World comes in. As soon as one parade is over, they start planning for next year’s floats. Designers will sit down with krewe members, who choose the theme of their floats. They sketch designs and, once approved, will begin building the props. These are made from Styrofoam, which is shaped using sandpaper and other hand-held tools. Once it’s in the correct shape, the form is covered by papier-mâché, then painted.

We were able to see props in all stages and complete floats. After the parade, props are stored and many are repurposed for new themes. We saw cattle, sheep, horses, and bees. There was King Kong, the Grinch, Cat in the Hat, Michael Jordan, and more.

During the Rex parade, hosted by the Rex Krewe, the Boeuf Gras Float is a yearly staple. Featuring a fatted bull or ox, it represents the ancient symbol of the last meat eaten before Lenten season of fasting and the end of Carnival.

Another float has unique decoration. The Knights of Revelry inflate cow bladders like balloons and paint them for their float. It’s such a dirty job that Mike Rowe took part in the parade prep for an episode of his show, "Dirty Jobs."

It goes to show that agriculture is everywhere, even on the streets of New Orleans.