LSU Football SuperFan Fitz Kern: Blending LSU Fandom with Mardi Gras Magic

When you think of the LSU Tigers, game days in Baton Rouge, and the electric atmosphere of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Kern family is right in the middle of it all. As lifelong LSU fans and the powerhouse behind Kern Studios, Fitz Kern and his brothers brought their Tiger pride to the parades with the now-iconic “Mardi Gras Mike” float.

On The Superfan Diaries, Fitz shared how his family’s love for LSU, combined with their deep roots in New Orleans float-building, created a one-of-a-kind tribute that captures the energy of both Death Valley and Carnival season.

The Mardi Gras Mike float wasn’t just one person’s idea—it was a family project fueled by a shared passion for LSU. Fitz explained how he and his brothers wanted to celebrate Tiger spirit in a way only the Kerns could: through larger-than-life float design, vivid purple and gold, and a parade experience that roars just as loud as the fans in Baton Rouge.

Fitz talked about how they got the float all the way to the College World Series championship game in Omaha to support the LSU baseball team. It’s proof that fandom has no limits—and neither does a float when the Kern family is behind it.

The float has since become a symbol of both LSU fandom and New Orleans artistry, merging the traditions of Louisiana’s flagship university with the magic of Mardi Gras.

The story doesn’t end with one season. Fitz revealed that Mardi Gras Mike will continue to make appearances at future games, parades, and community events. For fans, it’s more than a float—it’s a moving monument to LSU pride and a reminder of the connection between New Orleans culture and Louisiana sports.

Fitz’s fandom doesn’t stop with LSU. As a dad, he’s raising the next generation of fans in the stands, and as a proud New Orleanian, he also cheers for the New Orleans Saints and Tulane Green Wave. From Tiger Stadium to the Superdome to Yulman Stadium, Fitz lives and breathes Louisiana sports the way only a local can.

At its core, Fitz’s story is about how sports, family, and tradition intertwine. With Kern Studios’ artistry, the Mardi Gras Mike float captures the magic of LSU while honoring the spirit of New Orleans parades. It’s a celebration of fandom that goes beyond one team or one season—it’s a piece of Louisiana culture.

Listen to the full episode here. 

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