15-05-2025
Scoop: New Halloween parade in the works
The Krewe of Krampus is working on a new walking parade for Halloween that will focus on sustainability, the krewe captain tells Axios New Orleans.
Why it matters: Everyone loves a parade.
The big picture: The parade would be an extension of Krampus' Swampus events, co-founder and captain Mike Esordi says.
Swampus started as a drive-through event during the COVID-19 pandemic and has turned into a performance-type event.
The krewe also crafts and hides Swampus skulls for Halloween.
The vibe: Swampy and spooky, Esordi says, with a mix of Swampus costumes and other walking krewes.
"Swampus Returns celebrates the eerie, magical, uniquely Southern spirit of Halloween in the Deep South," the krewe says about the parade on its website. "Where fog creeps through cypress trees, Spanish moss sways like ghosts, and the creatures of the bayou come to life."
He's had casual conversations with NOPD about a downtown route, but the krewe is still working on a date before applying for the permit.
Krampus has had a good response so far from other marching troupes interested in participating, he said.
Zoom in: Esordi says participants will need to sign a commitment to sustainability to participate.
That would include thoughtful costume choices and a focus on handmade, sustainable and reusable throws.
No plastic beads will be allowed.
For the Krampus parade, the krewe creates lumps of coal with recycled glass from Glass Half Full.
State of play: The krewe puts on the largest Krampus parade in America every December.
Members craft elaborate costumes and walk through the Bywater.
They also make Kreeps for Easter.
What's next: The Halloween parade is still in the early stages, Esordi says, and he'll have more details this summer.
"It'll be nice and swampy and spooky for Halloween," Esordi says. "I think it will really help elevate the whole push towards changing parade culture, towards using less, reducing waste and just thinking about what we do in terms of the eco side of things."
