A Special Luncheon Program featuring Blaine Kern (“Mr. Mardi Gras”) Chairman,  Kern Studios

Tuesday, November 18, 2003

12:00 Noon (11:30 a.m. reception)
The Plimsoll Club
World Trade Center of New Orleans
(Free validated parking in the WTC Garage)

MEET MR. MARDI GRAS

When letters addressed simply to "Mr. Mardi Gras" arrive at the New Orleans Post Office, they are routinely routed to Blaine Kern.

Blaine Kern Artists was founded in 1947 and has grown from one Mardi Gras parade to become the largest float building company in the world today. Blaine Kern got his start as a lowly apprentice to his father's sign painting business during the Great Depression of the '30's. He distinguished himself as a talented artist as early as the second grade in Algiers (he is an eighth generation Algerine) and also showed great interest in ancient mythology and storytelling.

At 19, Blaine painted a mural in a hospital to help defray his mother's medical bills, and his talent caught the eye of Dr. Henry LaRocca. The doctor was coincidentally the Captain of the Krewe of Alla, the biggest parading organization on the West Bank. After he finished the mural, Blaine was contracted to design and build his first carnival parade, and his talents were rewarded with offers that began pouring in. In time, Alla led to Choctaw, Okeanos, and then the most prestigious parade of all, Rex, as well as Zulu and a host of other krewes from New Orleans and surrounding communities.

Blaine was a co-founder of the Krewe of Bacchus, one of the first super-krewe non-traditional organizations that brought Mardi Gras into the modern age. Then came Endymion, Orpheus, and over 40 other major parades including, Universal Studios’ annual Mardi Gras parades and other parades worldwide.

His eldest son, Blaine Kern, Jr., owns Mardi Gras Productions. Working with his sister Thais, Blaine Jr. has created magic for untold events in the convention and Mardi Gras industry, including the incredible artistry for the Endymion Ball. The 1984 World's Fair was resplendent with gigantic Kern alligators and other spectacular creations tackled by his son Barry, who is carrying on the family tradition. His role now is President of Blaine Kern Artists, Inc., and a designer and builder of props and sculptures for Disney and other theme parks, as well as casinos throughout the world. Son Brian runs Mardi Gras World, where tours and parties, held in a festive atmosphere where Mardi Gras is created, makes it a must-see for thousands of tourists each year. His daughter Blainey is now living with her husband in Ohio, but plans to work in the capacity of Art Coordinator at Kern Studios in the near future.

The Shanghai Tourism Festival

It comes as no surprise that China is expected to become one of the world’s largest markets for entertainment in all forms because of population size, growing household disposal income levels, and emphasis on children’s entertainment.

The Promethean Corporation was founded in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2001 by Marsden "Bill" Miller. Starting with negotiations in 1988, Mr. Miller obtained the first onshore oil exploration and production contract issued to a foreigner by China’s national oil company. This resulted in a significant oil discovery that started commercial production in July 2003. Since then, Mr. Miller has been involved in several Chinese-based businesses.

One of these businesses is Promethean Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary that has entered into a partnership with Kern Studios and signed a five-year agreement with the Shanghai Government to plan and produce the annual three-week festival in September presently called the "Tourism Festival." The festival attracts attendance in the millions. The new festival will be in the nature of a carnival, similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Kern/Promethean Entertainment, in partnership with Shanghai Government’s Tourism Agency, will be responsible for all carnival activities and in charge of all commercial carnival activities. Profits will come from many sources, including advertising contracts sponsoring the carnival, corporate sponsorships of floats and events, planning and producing entertainment venues, and carnival product sales.

The joint venture will also build items for theme parks in China, create and produce events in theme parks, and perform carnival and festival services for other cities in China. It is expected that Kern/Promethean will do work for Disney and Universal in China in their ongoing plans to develop major theme parks in China. Kern/Promethean has also been asked by several theme parks in China to assist in planning and development.

Sponsoring Organizations

Louisiana Economic Development
Bank One
City of New Orleans
Fowler Rodriguez & Chalos
Port of New Orleans
World Trade Center of New Orleans

Cost: $25 for members of the sponsoring organizations and companies. 
$30 for non-members.