NEW ORLEANS, Parade-loving New Orleans is set to get its groove back.
After more than a year in which the coronavirus had largely ended parades, an assortment witches, goblins, and other masked creatures will take to the streets Saturday night in the first parade with floats since that pandemic.
The Krewe Of Boo is a Halloween-themed parade that runs from the city's Marigny neighbourhood, through the French Quarter, and into the Warehouse District. The floats' riders dress in Halloween costumes and hand out fun trinkets to the crowds. Parades often include dancing and marching bands.
Mardi Gras 2020 was the last parade that rolled through the streets of the city. This event was largely credited for making the city a hot spot for coronavirus. Parades and music festivals were cancelled as the severity of the pandemic became clear.
The city must be able to successfully organize the Halloween-themed Krewe of Boo Parade without a rise in COVID-19 infection. This will help Mayor LaToya Cantrell's tentative plans to bring back the extravagant Mardi Gras procesions that fill the streets of the city during the annual preLenten celebration.
Cantrell stated in a tweet that "this is a step toward the return of Mardi Gras Next Spring" after announcing that the Krewe Of Boo parade could continue. "What we do now will determine what happens next!" "
Friday's mayor stated that Mardi Gras would continue next year unless COVID numbers take a dramatic turn for the worse. Her strongest remarks yet were that the huge parades that are part of the annual celebration would be back.
Riders and members of marching groups must be vaccinated or have proof of negative COVID-19 tests as part of Saturday's safety precautions for Krewe of Boo.
Health officials will also conduct a study on the parade route to help understand how coronavirus is spread in large groups. Around 40 volunteers and health workers will be on parade route to help people take the survey and give out goody bags to all who participate. To keep with Halloween, all 40 participants will be dressed up as Dr. Anthony Fauci (White House adviser, face of federal pandemic response).
