It is almost Halloween in New Orleans, and nothing kicks off the start of spooky season like the official New Orleans Halloween parade Krewe of BOO! Young and old alike enjoy the parade, which has events planned before and after including a luncheon, masquerade ball, zombie fun run and monster mash dance after-party.

This Saturday, Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m., the elaborate Kern Studios floats are set to start at the corner of Elysian Fields Avenue and Chartres Street and roll up Decatur Street onto N. Peters Street before ending at Tchoupitoulas Street in the Warehouse District. Due to the collapse at the Hard Rock Hotel, this year’s route will bypass Canal Street.

Krewe of BOO! is organized by Kern Studios, the premier float-building organization in the U.S. Parade-goers are both frightened and excited by the elaborate floats that light up the French Quarter. Kern Studios uses fiberglass and 3D papier-mâché to build floats that bring werewolves, ghosts, witches and other monsters to life. 

This year, the parade is opting to go green by featuring local goods as parade throws, such as Pralinettes from Aunt Sally’s, PJs Coffee Frac Packs, collectible light-up medallion beads and T-shirts, instead of the usual plastic beads. 

So, if you are looking for an early glimpse into Mardi Gras and want to get into the Halloween spirit with costumes and music, then head to the Quarter on Saturday for fun and scares for everyone!

UPDATE: Krewe of Boo was cancelled. NOLA Ready made the announcement Saturday morning, citing the ongoing work and planned crane demolition at the Hard Rock Hotel construction site, which partially collapsed on Oct. 12.