Halloween Parade - Krewe of Boo 2025

Brian Kern’s Krewe of Boo parade has become a favorite Halloween tradition in New Orleans for both locals and visitors.

It's also the first major parade I danced in with The Pussyfooters back in 2013. As such, the parade hold a special place in my heart as I march into my 13th year with the women's non-profit body-positive group of over 100 women-over-30 in pink corsets.

Krewe of Boo is the first major parade for lots of people, including the latest additions to the Pussyfooters – the 15 or so new "Kittens." The shorter route makes it an ideal training ground for new participants. Congratulations to all of the new paraders including our first second-generation Pussyfooter, and our most senior new member who's joined us at 81 (not pictured).

When you are part of the parade everyone came to see, the best chance to see all the floats and fellow paraders is during the lineup. Floats park in the order they will roll – then dance troupes, school bands, and other entertaining groups practice, prep, primp, and hang out between the elaborately decorated rolling party barges.

Recently retired Saint Tyrann Mathieu served as this year's King, along with his adorable daughter, on the first float. The rain stopped just as we started to roll and, despite reports of nearby storms, the evening remained balmy.

Because we were positioned just behind the second float, the Pussyfooters finished dancing with plenty of time to catch the rest of the parade! I joined friends from Cowboy, a movie I acted in last year that had premiered earlier that day at the New Orleans Film Fest. I'd missed the premiere to make it to the parade so I was delighted to run into some of the people I'd missed. I especially enjoyed seeing the floats and dance krewes with fellow cast member, Alexandra Essoe, who'd never been to one of our great displays of celebration.

Seeing our city from the inside of a parade is my favorite way to enjoy our culture, values, and the beauty of our home – but seeing a parade through the eyes of someone new to it all is also a renewing experience.