KREWE OF BOO!: HALLOWEEN AND THE SPIRIT OF MARDI GRAS by Guest Blogger NOLA Nellie

The Krewe of Boo!

Around the world, Carnival—a/k/a the Mardi Gras season—starts on January 6^th—the Twelfth Night—and continues until Fat Tuesday. EVERYONE knows about the “official” Mardi Gras. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the Spirit of Mardi Gras is a year-round phenomenon in New Orleans.

In March, it’s St. Patrick’s Day (New Orleans St. Patrick's Day Parades (stpatricksdayneworleans.com)). In spring, it’s the Krewe of Cork’s Royal Street Roll (Home - krewe (thekreweofcork.com)). And throughout the year, if you’re lucky you catch a random Second Line. Wow!

But come October, it’s the Krewe of Boo!

Beginning at dusk (around 6:30 p.m.) today, October 21, 2023, is THE premier Halloween Event in the Big Easy (and maybe the world)—The Krewe of Boo! Parade. (Krewe of BOO! New Orleans' Official Halloween Parade).

Since 2007, the Krewe of Boo! has been the official Halloween Parade in New Orleans. The parade launches at Elysian Fields in the Marigny and progress through the French Quarter, passing along N. Peters and Decatur Streets, to Jackson Square and then towards the Warehouse District, all the way  to the Convention Center. With 450 riders, 15 floats, and 35 marching bands and dance krewes, Krewe of BOO! has grown from a single parade into a weekend full of events. Krewe of BOO! is the official Halloween parade of New Orleans.

 

Halloween themed throws include candy, plush toys, and beads. So, get ready to yell, “Throw me something, Monsta!”

And if you can’t make it in person, maybe you can catch the Krewe of Boo! on live stream at one of the internet cameras focused on the French Quarter, like:

earthcam.com/usa/louisiana/neworleans/bourbonstreet/?cam=catsmeow2 or  (earthcam.com/usa/louisiana/neworleans/bourbonstreet/?cam=bourbonstreet). 

Can’t do that? Take a look at the Krewe of BOO!'s cameo in the Tom Cruise film "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back."

TRICK OR TREAT FOR MYSTERY LOVERS! by Yvonne Saxon

 

Today, dear readers, we’re going trick or treating for mysteries! There are eight “houses” on this street and each one has clues to a mystery book, series, or tv/film adaptation. Some you know, others may be new to you. So imagine yourself dressed up as your favorite sleuth, and see if you can figure out what mysteries will be in your treat bag!

The first house is a Cape Cod; you can hear seagulls and smell the salt in the air. There’s no car in the driveway, just a bicycle with a basket leaning against the fence. Inside you can see an old-fashioned typewriter in a cozily decorated room. A basket of saltwater taffy sits beside another with twelve seasons of DVD’s, books, and even video games. You take the treats, but you’re sorry the owner’s gone now: you would have loved to have spent more time with her.

The next house is really old; it looks like it was built in the 1940’s. There are two nice old ladies on the porch serving elderberry wine and cakes. Suddenly, a man dressed like President Teddy Roosevelt charges out the door blowing a trumpet, giving everyone a fright! One of the ladies offers you a glass, but a frantic young man in the bushes gestures “NO!” He tosses a copy of a play in your bag and whispers “get out of here.”