Frequently Asked Questions
Perhaps you forgot some of the details of how things worked last year (2021 has hit us all over the head, amiright?), or perhaps you’re new this year to our krewe, and are looking to avoid FOMO. In any case, we’ve tried our best to collect the most popular questions about the Krewe of House Floats.
If you have a question, idea or concern that's not addressed here, contact through your neighborhood’s subkrewe captain, or see our Contact page. But seriously, read these first. Don’t be that person on social media who goes, “Sorry if this has been asked before, but ...”
- WHAT IS THE KREWE OF HOUSE FLOATS?
The Krewe of House Floats (KoHF) is a socially distant Mardi Gras krewe founded under the belief that if circumstances make it impossible to safely gather together on the parade route, we can still bring the spirit of parades home to celebrate Carnival season in a manner that supports our friends, neighbors, local culture-bearers and artists. - WHAT’S THIS YEAR’S THEME?
KoHF’s 2022 theme is Vaccinate, Decorate, Celebrate. Seems pretty clear to us. Go do those things! - HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
- Sign up to be a member and then decorate your home like a Mardi Gras parade float in any way or theme you choose – follow your muse, opt in to your neighborhood subkrewe's theme (or not, it’s all good), or hire a local artist to decorate for you.
- Support our philanthropic efforts.
- Peruse the map once it’s released on Feb. 1, 2022, and tour all of the various neighborhoods to see how others decorated.
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS?
We didn’t just want to boost morale last year; we wanted to help keep people who work in pandemic-slammed tourism or event industries fed, housed and clothed. In 2021, through our philanthropic efforts, the KoHF Giving Fund raised over $30,000 for Culture Aid NOLA and Grace at the Greenlight.
In 2022, we are partnering with the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO), continuing our focus on those most affected by the pandemic, including but not limited to float builders and culture-bearers. MaCCNO is a 501(c)(3) that collaborates with the New Orleans music and cultural community to preserve and nurture our culture – what makes New Orleans and Mardi Gras so special. - ARE THERE GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATING?
Yes. Here's our Statement of Participation. - WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO IF I PARTICIPATED LAST YEAR?
Even if you were a member last year, you still have to sign up again this year. Databases are hard to maintain, and we also can’t read your mind.
You can still be a member and opt out of being listed on the map. We still ask that you agree to our Statement of Participation as a member of the Krewe of House Floats, however. - HOW ARE YOU ORGANIZED?
Last year, we were organized into 39 subkrewes, each led by one or two volunteer subkrewe captains. We are still tweaking things for 2022, so bear with us. You can still plan out your house float now, regardless of where you live or what your neighborhood might choose as a theme. - WHERE CAN I FIND BUSINESSES AND ARTISTS TO HELP ME WITH MY HOUSE FLOAT?
Join the Krewe of House Floats Resource Page group on Facebook or consult our House Float Resources page to find an artist to help you with supplies or lighting … the sky’s the limit. You can even go whole hog and hire a float builder to deck out your home. - WILL THERE BE A MAP? I WANT TO BE ON THE MAP! HOW DO I GET MY HOUSE ON THE MAP?
Of course there will be a map! We will shout from the rooftops when it goes live on our website on Feb. 1, 2022! If you miss the Jan. 6, 2022 registration deadline, you can still sign up to be a member, but we can’t promise your house float will make it on to the map. Cartography is hard. - DO I HAVE TO PUT MY HOUSE ON THE PUBLIC MAP?
Nope! You can still be a member and opt out of being listed on the map. We still ask that you agree to our Statement of Participation as a member of the Krewe of House Floats, however. - CAN I STILL BE A MEMBER IF I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT OR CONDO?
Well of course! Do you have a front door? Hang a wreath! Is there a window or a balcony? Decorate it and post your photos to social media with the hashtag #kreweofhousefloats!
While it might be challenging or impossible for viewers to see your float, you can still join your neighborhood subkrewe and participate in those events. Or consider helping a neighbor who might need a hand - we had at least one house last year that decorators "adopted." - ARE THERE THROWS? IS THERE A SIGNATURE THROW?
KoHF will offer official krewe throw packages to members, and we also encourage you to get creative by recycling, crafting and/or supporting local Mardi Gras vendors to purchase or commission throws. But please clean up after yourselves, and use pandemic-safe ways to distribute throws. - DO I HAVE TO THROW ANYTHING? DO I HAVE TO FOLLOW A THEME?
Nope! Do what you wanna (like, within reason – see our Statement of Participation for what’s not cool). - DO I NEED A PERMIT TO TURN MY HOUSE INTO A FLOAT?
In general, any temporary decorations and embellishments to a home or business do not require any special permitting; however, if you are in Orleans Parish and intend to build a structure (like a scaffolding or reviewing stand) intended to support the weight of a person sitting or standing, you will need to request a permit. Outside of New Orleans, please check your local ordinances or homeowners association rules regarding any decorations that go beyond what you might usually put up for other holidays. - THIS IS SUCH A COOL IDEA, BUT TURNING MY HOUSE INTO A FLOAT IS NOT REALLY IN MY BUDGET.
We have art supply pantries! They're like Little Free Libraries, but for decorations and art supplies! Join the Krewe of House Floats Community Art Pantry Facebook group for more information. You might also want to join your neighbhorhood’s subkrewe and see if there is anyone in your area looking to adopt a home to decorate. - I’M AN ARTIST, FLOAT BUILDER, CULTURE-BEARER OR BUSINESS OWNER WHO WANTS TO OFFER MY SERVICES TO KOHF MEMBERS. HOW DO I DO THAT?
We want to help! Please email Morgan Johnstonbaugh, our community organizer,to be added to (or to correct information on) our House Float Resources page.
You can also join the Krewe of House Floats Resource Page group on Facebook and let those members know what products/services you offer. Please do not spam the group, though! You must follow the group’s rules (no spam, no unapproved KoHF merchandise) or we will remove and block you. And that would be a bummer.