2nd generation takes over the family business

To put the awe in Mardi Gras is not an easy feat. From the festive floats to the extravagant costumes, many people are unaware of the amount of thought, creativity and time-consuming manual labor that actually goes into each Carnival production.

Two people who are all too familiar with the colossal workload required for Mardi Gras season success are Homer McGee and his grandson, John Poiencot, of Houma Float Rentals.

Poiencot, 28, has a scrupulous eye for detail, which he inherited from his grandfather, along with the company last year, when McGee supposedly retired.

At age 74, McGee can still be found at their East Houma warehouse, laboring alongside his grandson, with no actual plans of giving up work.

“I’m not going to retire.” McGee said. “I just wanted him (Poiencot) to get involved in it. He’s now in charge of everything.”

Poiencot, who started assisting his grandfather with the floats at age 8, said he has always known that he was going to take over the business. In addition to his position as the district fire chief for the Bayou Cane Fire Department, Poiencot now oversees the entire float rental company operation.

With no additional staff, McGee and Poiencot work together to make the floats come alive.

“We do everything. We start by ordering the chasse and building the frame, which is all made of iron…” McGee said. “The floor and sides are made of wood, and then we stretch a cloth over it.”

They continue by drawing the artwork onto the cloth and then painting the different scenes with an array of colors. Just as a person adds a bracelet or scarf to finish off an outfit, the grandfather/grand-son team adds specially chosen props and accessories to enhance the final result.

Presently, Houma Float Rentals has 22 riding floats, three maids’ floats, and two king’s floats. Quite a staggering number when compared to the single float McGee started with in 1985.

After riding with the Krewe of Terreanians for over two decades, McGee learned a great deal about building and repairing floats.

While still a member of the krewe, he started toying with the idea of opening a float company in Houma, which eventually came to fruition. As the business gradually increased, McGee ultimately had to depart from his krewe to concentrate on his work.

This year, to honor his father and grandfather, Poiencot is riding with the Krewe of Terreanians.

“He (McGee) started out in Terreanians and my dad was in Terreanians.” Poiencot said. “It’s a way to keep the legacy going.”

After working with them for a number of years, the Krewe of Hyacinthians is another Carnival organization close to the two men’s hearts.

“Hyacinthians owns their own floats, but we maintain them, we build them all, we paint them. We do everything. We are the ‘husbands’ of the club.” McGee said. “I’m the only male member. At one of their tableaus, they honored me with a plaque that said Mr. Hyacinthians.”

In addition to the aforementioned honor, McGee says he was also the first person to build a double-decker float in the area. When asked which float was his favorite, he gestured to a large, hot-pink float, with cow skulls, sand and other arid images painted on the side.

“My favorite one and I guess it’s because I wound up with it from years and years back…” McGee said. “…That’s the first double-decker that was ever built in Houma… and I built it.”

The vibrantly colored float, which can be seen this year in the Krewe of Titans parade with Kung Fu Panda perched up front, was the float McGee rode on for many years with the Krewe of Terreanians.

Poiencot also has a favorite float, though he hesitated before choosing.

“Probably this year, that one…” Poiencot said as he pointed to a beautiful blue float that they rebuilt this season. “…Then, the next year, it will change.”

Poiencot also has a favorite painted float, which has convivial images of jazz musicians on the side.

Both of Poiencot’s favorites can also be seen in the Krewe of Titans parade this season. Some of the other parades at which parade-goers can catch a glimpse of one or more of the dynamic duo’s craftsmanship include the Krewe Du bon Temps in Larose, the Krewe of Aquarius in Houma, the Krewe of Ambrosia in Thibodaux and the Krewe of Terreanians in Houma.

John Poiencot and his grandfather Homer McGee are the talent behind Houma Float Rentals. The duo design, build and decorate the company’s 22 Mardi Gras floats each Carnival season.