A Spooky Family Affair
Known for its haunted history, ghost tours, and vampires lurking the streets of the Quarter, the Big Easy is arguably the best place to spend the entire month of October. At the heart of it all is a parade that makes sure not to disappoint when it comes to all things spooky—Krewe of BOO!, the city's official Halloween parade.
The man behind it today, Brian Kern, is a New Orleans native with deep roots in the city's parade and float business. As the son of the legendary Blaine Kern and a member of the family behind Kern Studios and Mardi Gras World, Brian grew up immersed in floats and festivities. However, with Krewe of BOO!, he's carved out his own legacy that is unmistakably New Orleans.
We caught up with Brian to talk about the origins of the parade, how his family's legacy shaped his vision, and what it takes to keep this Halloween tradition alive, and growing, year after year.
Brian Kern Interview
Where Y'at (WYAT): How did Krewe of BOO! originally get started?
Brian Kern (BK): Actually, my father started the parade after Hurricane Katrina. The original intent was to raise money for the first responders. He began planning in 2007, and the first parade rolled between 2008 through 2010. Then, in 2013, I was at a Mardi Gras parade and saw all the waste and beads everywhere. That's when I thought, "Why not resurrect the Halloween parade with a focus on locally made items?" That was the turning point.
WYAT: How would you describe your concept of the parade and its expansion today?
BK: I wanted to create something that was a balance between a traditional Mardi Gras float parade and one of the more quirky, walking parades like Krewe du Vieux. Krewe of BOO! now has over 40 marching krewes and around 15 floats with each one Halloween themed. When it comes to float themes, it's Halloween, so anything goes.
WYAT: You also put on several other Halloween events during the weekend of the parade. What are some other events worth attending?
BK: The morning of the parade, we host the Zombie Run. I knew the parade alone wasn't enough to bring people in from out of town, so I started building events around it. We've added multiple activities to make the whole weekend fun and immersive such as the Royal Luncheon, a second line, the Monster Mash, and so much more. You can check the events tab for more on our website. There's something for everyone.
WYAT: What's it like following in your father's footsteps while creating your own path?
BK: Well my dad had five kids, and we all worked in the family business at one time or another. I ran Mardi Gras World for 25 years, so producing events is kind of my thing. I'm grateful he got to see the parade grow before he passed in 2020. Now, it's something I'm really proud of, and I think the city is proud of it, too. People expect Krewe of BOO! every year, and it makes everyone happy.
WYAT: Krewe of BOO! is known for buying locally. Can you talk about that?
BK: Absolutely. I always say city first, state second, U.S.A. third. Many of our throws are local. We throw CheeWees, mini pralines, cups from a local container company, gumbo seasoning and jambalaya mix from Jambalaya Girl, and 100 bags of Zapp's potato chips for each rider. We also have Moon Pies from Chattanooga. Almost everything we throw is local or American-made.
WYAT: How do you balance the spooky vibes with family-friendly fun?
BK: It's 100% family friendly. I make sure the walking krewes stay away from political messages and throws—nothing offensive. It's supposed to be a joyful night where people can escape the daily grind and enjoy some fun with friends and family. We throw a lot of great stuff and it's truly one of the best events in the city, and it doesn't cost a thing.
WYAT: What message do you want to share with people thinking of joining the krewe?
BK: I'm always looking for people to join Krewe of BOO! We rely on support from the public. I want and need people to ride, support the krewe, and enjoy, and it really is a good time and one of the top Halloween events in the country. Every year, we bring in over 150 new riders. And this year, we'll have about 600 total. For many, it's a bucket-list experience.
WYAT: Being the son of one of the biggest float makers, how has the float experience been for Krewe of BOO!? Do you have a favorite float?
BK: In the early days, our double-decker floats held about 30 riders. Now we've got super floats with 50+ riders. The riders in their costumes and the props really make the floats shine. One of our floats from last year, the Muenster Energy float with male and female skeletons, was a good one that had a Latin theme. This year, they're doing a "bad apple" theme with an Eve-like character. I'd also love to have a big Frankenstein or Dracula float one day, preferably something with animation and lights.
WYAT: What's your future vision for Krewe of BOO!?
BK: I want iconic Halloween floats that people look forward to each year like Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, you name it. Like Santa on a sleigh at a Christmas parade, you know? Build them well and they'll last a long time. That's where I see it going—more tradition, more wow factor.
From its local focus to its spine-tingling creativity, Krewe of BOO! is not only a parade, but a love letter to New Orleans' spookiness. Thanks to Brian Kern's vision, it's only getting better, and eerier, with time.
