By james art 
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – If you’re just driving through North Baton Rouge, you might think Dougherty Drive looks like any other, until you get close enough to see Kerry Haynes’ home, called the Mardi Gras House Float. This is the sixth carnival season that Haynes has brought his home to life and has it down to a science.
“I always try to draw it on paper first, then I go outside to see well how is this going to work here? or what’s that going to look like over there?”’ Haynes explained.
From ribbons to unique wreaths and even streamers, Haynes handcrafts almost every element of her house to float. He said he has a good eye for different things and his favorite piece is the masks he hand shines.
“That’s a very important part that I love the most,” Haynes said. “It takes time. Three weeks in advance, that’s going to take you, three weeks to put that up.
He said it was no easy feat.
“Sometimes you have to slow down because the legs say you can’t do this haha, but I have to keep that motivation,” Haynes said. “If you don’t keep thinking, you won’t succeed, but I get this inspiration, so I do this.”
His inspiration comes from people’s reaction to seeing his house float every year.
“It keeps everyone’s spirits up and smiles as they get together as well, we can’t wait to see!” Haines exclaimed.
He also likes to show them how they can decorate their own homes.
“It’s a good experience right now because I love doing it and I don’t mind sharing,” Haynes said. “If you want to know something, come and see for yourself!”
Let’s make sure people in Baton Rouge don’t have to go to the Big Easy to enjoy the Mardi Gras spirit.
“If you say, ugh, we can’t go to New Orleans, ugh, it’s full of jams, then just go to the Mardi Gras House Float!”
His decorations will, of course, remain throughout the carnival season.
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