Halloween Masking in New Orleans

Down here in South Louisiana we're always looking for an excuse to put on a costume and have some fun, so Halloween is celebrated with gusto.

The ghouls and goblins, witches and werewolves prowl the French Quarter from Dusk to Dawn. This is a time when the resident vampires can show their fangs without fear of being discovered. The haunted houses and Marie Laveau's tomb are much visited.

New Orleans is a very old city, and is said to have many ghosts and even vampires that roam around. Now, come take a little virtual tour of one Halloween night in the quarter. Some day, you may even want to come down south for the real thing.

Don't forget about the other fun time for costumes in New Orleans, Mardi Gras!

Howl at the moon on Halloween in a baby wolf costume. They are precious for the little ones.

Halloween night in New Orleans is a sight to behold and the French Quarter is the hub of all that's spooky and creepy and that goes bump in the night. The natural ambience of this old city where ghosts and voodoo priestesses are around every corner lends itself to a truly marvelous Halloween celebration. It's a lot like Mardi Gras, but creepier.

All the witches, of every persuasion, show themselves on this magical night and some of the local vampires prowl the streets.

We have visited the Quarter on Halloween night and can attest to plenty of scary fun. If you like costumes and lots of spooky atmosphere, then the French Quarter on Halloween night is the place for you. There are several ghost tours and many trips to the tomb of Marie Laveau as well as shops that specialize in voodoo and the supernatural lore of New Orleans. If you enjoy dressing up for Halloween and having fun, then you must visit the French Quarter on Halloween night at least once in your life.

This and all photos are copyright Y.L. Bordelon (unless noted otherwise).

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Ultra Supreme Edition Adult Batman Costume for men - This officially licensed, stage quality, Batman costume includes chest piece, gloves, boot tops, codpiece, cowl, pants, jersey, and cape. Please note: Batman logo on chest piece not inside circle as shown. Boot tops and cowl run large.

At every turn a new masker appears. This pregnant "nun" added to the debachery of the Quarter on All-Halloweds Eve. You'll find all kinds down there.

The name of "New Orleans" conjures up a succulent variety of images, from the soft sounds of jazz to whirring ceiling fans, wrought iron gates, and hot, spicy food. Along the swollen Mississippi River, the city dozes, only to come alive at night with the revelry of its people and the blare of music and laughter from Bourbon Street and the French Quarter.

These are the images of New Orleans that many people think of... but there is another side to the city as well, an underbelly and a darkness that is as carefully hidden as the gates to the small gardens which lurk between buildings in the Quarter. This dark side is there, just like the spectacular gardens and courtyards, but you have to know where to look for it. Even if you don't see it though, it's liable to sneak out at you and surprise you when you least expect it.

The dark side of New Orleans is as compelling as the chicory-laced coffee and the delicious "beignets" however.... it's a dark side which is filled with the seductive images of voodoo, vampires and ghosts. Only in New Orleans could darkness and death seem so appealing!

(excerpt from Haunted New Orleans presented by Troy Taylor.)

Rio liked his King Costume so well that he's decided to wear it for Halloween, too.

Star Noir doesn't really need a costume, but she thought some beads would add a nice touch.

Dax is going to drag his black cat toy around by the throat, black and orange for Halloween.

You can find his and many other Halloween posters on Zazzle.com.

We like Halloween so much that we even attended a Halloween wedding!

Below, two ghouls are eyeing a cat. No guys, the food is over there.

The witch and wizard prepare the food. Wonder how many bat wings he's putting in?

Instead of using those wasteful and environmentally unfriendly plastic bags for Halloween trick or treating, try a reusable cloth bag this year. These can be customized with the child's name, but they're cute just like they are.

Many attractive reusable Trick or Treat Bags are available on Zazzle.com

In 2008, the old Mortuary was transformed into one of the most frightening haunted houses in the south. But in addition to the actors that perform nightly during the month of October, other strange beings have been observed.

The building was once the site of the New Orleans Mortuary, complete with a basement embalming room and many say, the spirits of the dead. What do you think? Could it be fact or fiction? Take a look at the vid below and you be the judge.

For ticket information or to get a preview of what's in store for you visit The Mortuary Haunted House website.

Maybe you'd prefer staying home and reading some spooky vampire books, that are set in Louisiana, instead of trick or treating.

Have a Halloween movie marathon watching the first and other seasons of Trueblood, the HBO adaption of the Sookie Stackhouse Vampire Mystery books.

Author Ann Rice set her vampire novels in New Orleans, her hometown.

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