Barry Kern
The Ambitious Celebration Maker
Barry Kern
The Ambitious Celebration Maker
Barry turned a family tradition into a world-class celebration.
In 1932, during the height of the Great Depression, a barge-sign painter named Roy Kern and his young son Blaine built something unexpected: the first mule-drawn Mardi Gras float on the back of a garbage wagon. It was humble. It was ingenious. And it planted a seed.
That seed took root when Blaine painted a hospital mural to cover his mother's medical bills. That act of necessity opened a door, the opportunity to build floats for the Alla Parade and establish Blaine Artist, his own studio. From there, Blaine traveled across Europe to study with master float and costume makers, returning with a grander vision for what Mardi Gras could become.
The defining moment came as the next generations expanded that vision beyond a family tradition. Under the leadership of Barry and Fitz Kern, the business has grown into a globally-recognized design and fabrication powerhouse, producing custom parade floats, themed environments, and large-scale experiential installations for clients worldwide. Through Mardi Gras World, they've opened their working studio to the public, turning their artistry into a destination.
Today, the Kern family has built a living institution woven into the fabric of New Orleans and beyond. From the Super Bowl Host Parade and the Manning Family Children's Holiday Parade to the All State Sugar Bowl celebration and their service on boards like LCMC and the Catholic Community Foundation, the Kerns invest in the communities that shaped them.
b1BANK stands behind ambitious celebration makers like Barry Kern. Our partnership supports the growth of businesses rooted in tradition, helping them expand their reach while staying true to what makes them special. Through financial expertise and a deep understanding of their work, we help carry their legacy forward.
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“When you’re growing something that’s been in your family this long, you want to do it the right way. b1BANK gets that. They’ve helped us grow without losing what made us special in the first place.”
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