The father of the modern Mardi Gras celebration has died.
Blaine Kern Sr. was 93.
Known as "Mr. Mardi Gras," Kern founded Mardi Gras World and revolutionized the current Carnival celebration in New Orleans and around the world.
Blaine built his first Mardi Gras float on the back on a mule-drawn wagon with his father, Roy Kern, in 1932.
He then grew an empire that would change Mardi Gras as we now know it.
"Blaine Kern traveled throughout Europe to apprentice under the world’s leading float and costume makers. During several trips to Italy, France, and Spain, Blaine became inspired by the extravagant concepts and animation that marked the European style of float building," according to the Mardi Gras World website. "He brought these ideas to New Orleans and developed the monumental scale and lavish ornamentation of today’s spectacular Mardi Gras floats."
He envisioned and made a reality bigger and bigger processions.
"Blaine Kern was instrumental in the formative years of some of New Orleans’ biggest parades and 'Super Krewes.'"
His son Blaine Kern Jr. now runs the business.
You can learn more about Kern Studios and their Mardi Gras floats by clicking here.