On October 21st, the annual Krewe of Boo Halloween parade got underway, just as the sun set.

The costumes are outrageous. This is no backyard haunted house situation, but horror haute couture. It’s a level you’d witness at ComiCon. Or, on a backlot in Hollywood.

While Krewe of Boo is one of my favorite parades for the costumes, it’s not actual my favorite to watch. The route sucks, frankly.

It goes from the edge of the Marigny, right down S. Peters street. There are no turns; no twists. The crowds grow too thick on either side to see anything except the very tops of the floats.

Listen, people with kids are organized. They get there early and wait hours in the best viewing spots. It’s too much hassle to compete.

Instead, I like to head to the lineup area. I like to get there before it starts, as the floats idle and the actors prepare.

If you try and watch this parade on S. Peters, you can’t fully see the junior high marching band, the Dead Elvis hilarity, the zombie waitresses or the demonic angels. You miss Rocky Horror and Pennywise, Freddy Krueger and Wonder Woman.

Peeking behind the curtain does somewhat destroy the Fourth Wall, but at the same time, there are perks. Being a part of the pre-show is really fun in a unique way.

Drink a beer with a pirate. Have a hot dog or take a Jell-O Shot. We watched an entire street of different characters have a Beetlejuice dance moment and it was pretty hilarious.

Here’s my recap of Behind-the-Scenes at Krewe of Boo 2023.