Stronghold Studios is Now Taking Submissions for House Floats in Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Stronghold Studios is a locally owned and operated art and fabrication studio based in Mid City, New Orleans, Louisiana. This Mardi Gras season, they are stepping up to the plate and taking the lead on the new and special tradition of ‘house floats’!

In the midst of COVID-19, New Orleanians refused to give up on their favorite holiday, but rather than partying in the streets, they decided to bring the joy to their front doors…literally.

A ‘house float’ is exactly what it sounds like. People decorate their homes as simply or grandly as they want from papier-maché to styrofoam to metal, all custom-made by local artists.

Initially bringing the ‘house float’ to popularity, Krewe of House Floats (KoHF) was founded in 2020 in the height of the pandemic, when Mardi Gras was “canceled.” This originally started as a joke when Megan Boudreaux, founder of KoHF, tweeted to, “Turn your house into a float and throw all the beads from your attic at your neighbors walking by.”

It sparked interest in many “captains” throughout the city.

The goal was that if people couldn’t gather on the parade route, they could still celebrate Carnival season while supporting their friends, neighbors, and local artists.

Each year the ‘house float’ tradition has grown and now, Stronghold Studios is ready to carry the torch onwards.

“The ‘house float’ concept is simply an extension of what we already do, except born from tragedy and transformed into a joyful Mardi Gras tradition,” said Coco Darrow, Stronghold Studios founder. “We already go all out decorating and costuming – why not do the house too? It also transformed the spectator of Mardi Gras into a participant. It removed a creative barrier so that you not only saw floats – you created them! Or you got to work directly with the artists who made them. It has been a new way of experiencing Mardi Gras and adds to the overall Carnival experience.”

Stronghold Studios is now taking submissions from anyone in Louisiana who has a ‘house float’ (‘house float’ veterans and/or DIY ‘house float’ creators) to be represented on the Official 2024 House Float Map. From business storefronts to family duplexes, from mansions to tiny homes, Coco and her team want to ensure that the Mardi Gras spirit is rampant in the city.

“Going the DIY route is the same process we use as well. Find a theme or image you want to create, if you need inspiration try wandering through Plush Appeal, Jefferson Variety or Michael’s craft store until you feel inspired. Then pick your materials, cardboard, coroplast, foamcore, or plywood. Zip ties, screws, acrylic paint, duct tape are basics for construction and assemblage. You are only one Youtube tutorial away from a masterpiece!”

To submit your home, please visit www.strongholdstudios.com.