Barth Brothers (Artists and Designers) was founded by Barry Barth and his brother Joseph in 1975, although the brothers had long since been designing and building floats alongside their father, who brought them into the business. They are now one several float building outfits in the city and their den is located in the neighborhood of Gentilly. While most float builders today work with foam, fiberglass, and other modern materials, Barry Barth prefers the classic papier-mache method in...
more »

Barth Brothers (Artists and Designers) was founded by Barry Barth and his brother Joseph in 1975, although the brothers had long since been designing and building floats alongside their father, who brought them into the business. They are now one several float building outfits in the city and their den is located in the neighborhood of Gentilly. While most float builders today work with foam, fiberglass, and other modern materials, Barry Barth prefers the classic papier-mache method in constructing his creations, using a process developed by his father in the 1960s.

Hundreds of floats are created for carnival season in New Orleans, with each parade having a different theme every year and therefore different decorations to their floats. Mostly drawn by tractors, floats vary in size and rider capacity, although the modern trend is towards larger floats with hundreds of riders, some stretching up to 200 feet long.

Regardless of size, all floats are considered unique works of art (float designers and builders are referred to as "artists") and can take up to a year to construct. Krewes either rent their floats every year from the various builders in the city or buy them outright and house them in their own "dens".
« less