New Orleans House Floats: What To Know

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With Mardi Gras at the mercy of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Orleans residents are once again being encouraged to decorate their homes as floats. This concept of “house floats” proved to be popular last year and is shaping up to be in 2022.

But you may have some questions about house floats, such as what they are exactly and how to find them. In this article, I’m going to tell you all about “house floats.”

Everything You Wanted To Know About House Floats

House floats are a spinoff from the mobile floats that used to ride up and down the streets during Mardi Gras. The house float movement has found an eager fan base as visitors to the city get to tour the homes on a house float map.

Local musicians and other artists have also benefitted from house floats because they have been able to use their talents as on-site entertainment.

Many house floats also have been involving in fundraising for New Orleans causes. Let’s take a look more closely at the house float movement and its origins.

What Is A House Float In New Orleans?

A float house is a typical shotgun house on stilts, a standard and traditional home design in New Orleans. The homes that have been built over the past several years are part of the affordable housing movement to keep longtime New Orleans residents in the city.

The float house can trace its origins to Megan Boudreaux, founder of the Krewe of House Floats. In just over a year, more than 30 subkrewes have popped up in neighborhoods around the city.

These organizations aren’t just decorating homes, but are giving back in a big way by putting together food drives, community pantries and other charitable efforts.

More than 2,600 area homeowners have registered their house floats, according to Boudreaux’s Krewe of House Floats.

Where Are The House Floats In New Orleans?

House floats can be found in nearly every section of New Orleans. Some of the more notable house floats include the “Little Shop of 2020 Horrors” house float located in Algiers.

Here Are The Best House Floats In New Orleans

“Dino Gras on the Avenue” house float – 5809 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, La. 70115
“Animal House” circus house float – 5531 St.
“Queen of Bounce House” – 4321 Laurel St. New Orleans. La. 70115.
“Leah Chase” house float – 2918 Bell St. New Orleans, La. 70119
“End of the World” house float – 6574 Memphis St. New Orleans, La. 70124

Where is The Big Freedia House Float?

Another popular house float listed above is the house float of New Orleans entertainer Big Freedia. The home, located at 4321 Laurel Street, was an instant hit with visitors and homegrown residents alike.

Final Word

The Krewe of House Floats (KoHF) is set to return in 2022 regardless of the city’s plans for Mardi Gras. KoHF is inviting New Orleans homeowners to participate in decorating their homes once again. Learn more here.

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Keisha Smith

Keisha Smith is a Contributing Writer who attended college at Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge. She is currently writing a book on south Louisiana culture.