Created by New Orleans’ own Blaine Kern Sr., The mastermind producing Mardi Gras for over 60 years, the Krewe of Halloween is unlike any other parade in the world. Not only is the Krewe of Halloween the official Halloween Parade in New Orleans, it is the first parade with a charitable cause! Mr. Kern’s vision for this unique event was to give back to New Orleans First Responders the best way he knows how…by throwing a party! Every dollar generated by the Krewe of Halloween benefits the Greater New Orleans First Responders Fund.
In 2007, Mr. Kern founded one of the most innovative nonprofits in New Orleans, the First Responders Fund. This organization was established because there was a need. Our police, fire, and EMS departments were suffering in many ways post Hurricane Katrina. Official headquarters and offices were replaced with inadequate temporary trailers, order and control replaced with rampant crime, and once stable personnel turned into staggering loss. The working environment within these agencies was hard, and home life for its employees was often harder. Many First Responders were working in temporary offices and living in temporary housing; all while coping with personal decisions that bared difficult solutions.
The New Orleans Police Department was in a particularly critical situation by the end of 2006 when it experienced the loss of nearly 500 officers. With a sound Board in place and direction from Superintendent of Police Warren Riley, Chief of New Orleans Fire Department Charles Parent, and Executive Director of Emergency Management Services Jullette Saussy, the First Responders Fund decided to support these agencies by offering a housing incentive to First Responders that would compliment compensation packages and aid retention efforts. For more on the First Responders Fund click here.
Founded on the belief that by aiding the recovery of our Police, Fire, and EMS departments, we aid the recovery of our entire City, the First Responders Fund publicly announced its mission in July of 2007. Assuring that in 2008 we would see two very important initiatives come to life – the execution of a housing program for New Orleans First Responders and the inaugural roll of the Krewe of Boo Halloween Parade!
So join the Krewe and help our First Responders get back into a home! 2009 membership is $650 and includes your place on a float, your costume, and more! Membership is online and easy. Take part in this historical event and enjoy Halloween in New Orleans, Krewe of Boo style
New Orleans, rich in it's tradition and history,
will provide you with a wealth of entertainment,
culture, history, food,and much more. While planning
your trip to New Orleans, we hope that you are able
to find a few items here at travelnola.com to make
your experience pleasurable, as well as economical
in New Orleans.
NEW
ORLEANS MARDI GRAS
New Orleans….the mere mention of the name conjures
up pictures of floats, maskers, beads, doubloons
and the pure joy of Mardi Gras. From the family
atmosphere of St. Charles and Napoleon Avenues,
to the party feel of the downtown and French Quarter
areas, there is a place to parade watch for everyone
of every age and size. The celebration that is Mardi
Gras is deeply rooted in the French tradition of
New Orleans. Begun as a "New World" carryover
from the pre-Lenten Parisian Mardi Gras, the New
Orleans festivities evolved from private balls to
foot parades to float parades (started in the mid
1800s) to the extravaganzas of today. The organizations
that provide the Mardi Gras parades and balls are
called "krewes". All do so at their own
expense, thus providing what has many times been
called the "Greatest Free Show on Earth".
The Mardi Gras celebration begins on January 6 (Feast
of the Epiphany also known as Kings Day) and continues
through Mardi Gras Day (the day before Ash Wednesday).
The traditional "king cake" is associated
with and eaten during the entire Mardi Gras season.
Also during this time, most carnival krewes have
their balls or supper dances. Formal parades in
New Orleans and the surrounding parishes begin about
two weeks before Mardi Gras Day. The festivities
reach a crescendo on the weekend before Mardi Gras
Day and that level continues through Fat Tuesday.
Houses, lampposts, people, and even horses are dressed
in the colors ofMardi Gras-purple, green and gold.
New Orleans for a brief time each year is transformed
into a place where the everyday world is cast aside.
Beads, doubloons, cups, and numerous other krewe
throws are tossed to thousands of happy parade goers
shouting,
"Throw me something, mister. "
Laissez les bon temps rouler.
THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ &
HERITAGE FESTIVAL
The Jazz & Heritage Festival has been a growing
event each year. Setting record crowds the past
few years. This two weekend festival has drawn the
likes of many top entertainers, such as Paul Simon,Santana,
B.B. King, and many more. This event always seems
to out do itself every year. The festival always
falls on the last weekend in April and the first
weekend in May. It may be springtime, but do not
count on all to comfortable temperatures. While
average highs are only in the lower 80's, the combination
between the large crowds and the lack of shade make
for a surprisingly hot time. Another great thing
about this festival is it gives you an opportuinity
to sample just about every local cuisine you can
think of. (Tip: Get your Crawfish Bread & Crawfish
Monica early in the day. You don't want to waste
time standing in line for these great items, when
you could be out dancing to great artist). Remember
to bring comfortable clothes and shoes and sunscreen
and hat to enjoy the festival to its fullest.
Happy Jazz Fest!!!!
