To New Orleans, Mr. Bingle is more than an anthropomorphic flying snowman and a coveted doll that the former Maison Blanche department store began selling in 1949.
He’s an icon and has been a Christmas staple in Crescent City for decades. He graced the floats of Mardi Gras’ seasonal parades, was adorned in Oaks’ City Park Four for his celebration, and captivated New Orleans as a fan.
Mr. Bingle was born on Apple Street, where Emile Aline, then advertising designer for Maison Blanche, made cute snowmen out of cotton. The character with the ice cream cone on his hat was named Mr. Bingle by the store’s management, so the character’s initials matched those of the store.
The character has quickly grown in popularity, attracting a die-hard fan who calls himself the Bingleholics and keeping him in the spirit every holiday season.
Jessica Williams contributed to this report.
Bingle and Santa Claus
Mr. Bingle and Santa Claus are holiday staples in New Orleans.
Mr. Bingle 1962
Santa Claus and Mr. Bingle on the facade of the Maison Blanche department store on Canal Street, New Orleans, December 18, 1962.
Mr. Bingle 1982
Lauren Delling, 3, greets Mr. Bingle at Clearview Shopping Center in Metairie on November 21, 1982. The helicopter arrival of Santa Claus and Mr. Bingle to his shopping mall culminated in the social event of Rex and Comus’s Mardi Gras meeting. Hundreds of children and parent pram brigade years. “This is the first time Mr. Bingle has appeared in such a realistic way, and the first time he’s been to the suburbs,” said Monroe Horton, manager of Maison Blanche in Clearview. In the past, Mr. Bingle has only appeared in the form of a puppet and a statue.
Mr. Bingle 1984
Oskar Eisentraut poses with Santa Claus and Mr. Bingle’s puppet at Maison Blanche in 1984.
Mr. Bingle’s puppet released in 2002
Estelle Crayton, shown December 17, 2002, has been collecting Mr. Bingles for 17 years.
Mr. Bingle Float 2004
On February 20, 2004, Mr. Bingle is depicted on the Canal Street float at the Jason Knights Parade in Metairie.
Mr. Bingle at the 2005 Oaks Celebration
Mr. Bingle was exhibited at the Oaks Celebration in City Park, New Orleans on December 9, 2005.
Mr. Bingle hitchhiking 2006
Mr. Bingle is attached to the grille of an 18-wheel truck being used to help with storm recovery in St. Bernard Parish on March 21, 2006.
Mr. Bingle 2020
Da Binglettes member Susie Andres poses with Mr. Bingle during Allstate Sugar Bowl Christmas December 12, 2020 at Lafreniere Park Run/Walk in Metairie.
Bingleholic
An original figure of Mr. Bingle was displayed at the Bingleholics Fan Club Luncheon to celebrate Mr. Bingle’s 75th birthday on November 12, 2022 at Oz’s Restaurant in Harahan.