Ah, COVID. The plague that just keeps on taking.
Life as we know it has totally changed. Lucky for us, humans are endlessly adaptable, even in the face of a deadly virus. So, when Mardi Gras time came around, what were the people of New Orleans to do when they can’t celebrate?
They decorated. Boy, did they decorate.
COVID sure did stop Mardi Gras in its tracks.
“New Orleanians are putting Mardi Gras float artists to work (or decorating homes themselves) by having them turn their homes into floats,” @themonicabyrd wrote on Instagram.
It’s Mardi Gras: Home Edition, aka #YardiGras!
Welcome to Mardi Gras 2021! With no way to hold the traditional parades and gatherings, New Orleans residents had to find a way to celebrate their favorite holiday. The solution? House decorating, of course!
They’re called House Floats.
Each house is now a drive-by experience — you come to the float, the float doesn’t come to you. Honestly, I love this idea. You get to stay in your car and see a bunch of gorgeous decorations! Win/win.
The idea of “Yardi Gras” gave people endless ways to express their creativity.
Like the Mystic Krewe of Unicorns, who decked their house float out in pink and blue tulle. And we can’t forget those unicorns, can we?
This house is having a lobster feast.
I can’t imagine how much time this took to paint and assemble! The lobsters in the flames look so real, but rest assured: no lobsters were harmed in the making of this house float.
People are hiring Mardi Gras artists to deck out their homes.
Like Sarah Bastacky, aka @bas_tiki . Mardi Gras artists are available all across New Orleans to decorate houses during COVID, no parade floats required!
Not even COVID can stop carnival season.
I’m just loving seeing all of these gorgeous, regal houses outfitted in bright colors and vibrant imagery. It’s the fun juxtaposition I assume New Orleans is filled with!
This house has to be my favorite.
Nothing says carnival season like a giant dinosaur decked out in Mardi Gras beads, right? If I had a house, I 100% would have a huge dinosaur in front of it — even if it wasn’t time for Mardi Gras.
You have to see all the houses!
You may not be in New Orleans, but that doesn’t mean you can’t check out all the fun. Head over to the #yardigras tag on Instagram to see all of the gorgeous designs!
