As they say in New Orleans, “laissez les bon temps rouler,” which means let the good times roll! Mardi Gras is back in full swing this year, but two years ago it was canceled due to the pandemic and the creative, socially distanced tradition of Yardi Gras started. Historical Tradition, Reimagined Originally, Yardi Gras, as city officials of New Orleans called it, began as a fundraiser. The Krewe of Red Beans sought a way to help the artists who create the city’s typically over-the-top parade floats. But, with no parades, no income was coming in. After publicizing the fundraiser; the idea gained grassroots traction – often on grass. As a result, there were more than 3,000 “house floats” at individual homes around New Orleans and beyond in 2021. Today, however, parades with massive floats are back to running the traditional routes, but many individuals are sticking with Yardi Gras and making their homes into house floats. A house on State Street near the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is decorated with animals to reimagine the zoo. Yardi Gras beyond LA Who says Mardi Gras can only be celebrated in New Orleans? Many have caught onto the tradition of decorating their homes with purple, green, and gold outside Louisiana and calling it Yardi Gras. From Georgia to Oregon and beyond, house floats are popping up. Pictured here is a house in Northern Georgia with the traditional Mardi Gras Indian reflection. In Vicksburg, Mississippi, they celebrated in the Historic Fostoria neighborhood for their third annual Yardi Gras. “Instead of the floats going by and throwing things, people are going by giving donations to a non-profit, and we (homeowners), in turn, hand out beads and doubloons,” said Launo Moore, event organizer. In the past two years, Moore...
Yardi Gras
New Orleans Parties at Home
Who knew that the 2019 “Yardi Gras” celebration at YASC DC would be a prescient window to the future? This year, instead of typical Fat Tuesday revelry, the citizen of New Orleans are celebrating in a very different way: at home, due to the ongoing pandemic. It’s a theme we’re all familiar with at this point, after nearly a year of working, living life and celebrating milestones – all from home. Our yards may be very familiar at this point, but they are also a creative space for expression and fun. Nowhere is that more true than in New Orleans today. Historic Tradition, Reimagined “Since 1857, Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans have been called off only 14 times, because of war, mob violence, or labor disputes,” reports Bloomberg News. “This year will be the 15th. Much as the city came together after the devastation of Hurricane Katina, turning Carnival into a celebration of hope amid the mourning, Crescent City citizens are still letting the good times roll and supporting each other while they’re at it.” Originally, Yardi Gras, as city officials are calling it, began as a fundraiser. The Krewe of Red Beans was looking for a way to help the artists who create the city’s typically over-the-top parade floats. With no parades, no income was coming in. After the fundraiser as publicized, the idea gained grassroots traction – often on actual grass. As a result, this year there are more than 3,000 “house floats” at individual homes around New Orleans and beyond. A Spirit of Celebration “It’s a spirit of celebration just like that we had in Washington D.C. at YASC two years ago,” said Tim Hoover, creative director for Yardi. “We brought in Sierra Green and the Soul Machine to entertain...
