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R.I.P. Blaine Kern Sr. “Mr. Mardi Gras”

Blaine Kern Sr., founder of “Blaine Kern Artists” has died at his home. He was 93 years old.

NewOrleansLocal.com’s Brett and Cheryl Bauman have been friends with Blaine Kern Sr. for over a decade. They fondly remember the New Orleans Icon as a man with big dreams:

Blaine’s  joie de vivre was inspirational. When you listened to him talk about his past and his plans for the future, you knew it was going to come true. Because he made you feel that all dreams come true. And you can see the magic in every one of his Mardi Gras floats. We will miss him. 

Brett Bauman, NewOrleansLocal Founder

Kern, also known as Mr. Mardi Gras, changed the face of Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Blaine Kern And His Legacy

Kern, the legendary artist developed Mardi Gras float building, not only created a multi-million dollar business, but he also brought the floats into the 21st century.

At “Blaine Kern Artists” (also known as Kern Studios), the Kern Krewe developed numerous parade innovations including double-decker floats, multi-unit tandem floats, giant animated prop figures, splashy lighting and animatronics.

The Kern Studio started out in 1932 as a float building company for New Orleans Mardi Gras Parades. After traveling all over Europe and apprenticing under the world’s leading float and costume makers, Blaine Kern brought back ideas from Italy, France, and Spain to develop the monumental scale and lavish ornamentation of today’s Mardi Gras parades. Today, Kern Studios is in charge of building floats and designing parades for over a dozen Krewes including Zulu, Bacchus, Endymion, Orpheus and Muses. 

Some of Kern Studio’s creations include the Rex Jester and King’s float, Bacchus King Kong family, Bacchagator.

For more information about Kern Studios visit: http://www.kernstudios.com/

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