Blaine Kern, Sr., who was widely considered Mr. Mardi Gras, has died. He was 93. Kern was the founder of Blaine Kern Artists, which designs, builds, and stages most of the region’s largest carnival parades. Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy remembers Kern as a key figure in the history of Mardi Gras.
“I’ve said many times that he is one of the most important figures in the whole history of Mardi Gras, going back to 1857. It’s not an exageration. He changed it. He improved it,” said Hardy.
Kern built his first Mardi Gras float on the back on a mule-drawn wagon with his father in 1932 and is credited for turning Mardi Gras float building into a multi-million dollar business. Hardy says Kern’s energy and creativity did not slow down in the later years of his life.
“He was a mile a minute and let me tell you this guy could still do things at 92, he could still draw. He’s done characters of people on napkins as we’re sitting at the table eating. It just didn’t stop,” said Hardy.
Hardy says Kern had the ability to engage and captivate people.
“It’s hard to mention him and not smile. He lit up a room and he could sell anything to anyone. Quite a promoter!” said Hardy.
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