While the rest of the nation gears up with candy and costumes for Halloween, New Orleans prepares to celebrate for the 111,942nd consecutive day — and for no particular reason.
New Orleanians, who essentially celebrate Halloween every day while outsiders get to experience it once a year, are deeply passionate about dressing in wild outfits and seizing any excuse to embrace life.
Strolling through any New Orleans neighborhood on any given day, you may catch a glimpse of a random man in a prom dress, a group dressed as characters from a popular TV show, or even a familiar politician donning a wig, hat, and sunglasses.
Outsiders may think the basis for this “offbeat behavior” has been lost to the ages after about a dozen beers, but in reality, there is no rhyme or reason. New Orleans simply celebrates everything, every day, and costumes are a way of expressing that joy without words.
“I make my costumes year-round so I always have something to wear, no matter the occasion,” said Uptown resident Aryanna Gamble.
“When I die, I’m having a costume party second line, and funeral. Everyone is invited — as long as you dress up. And I don’t mean boring suits and dresses unless that’s part of the costume.”
Some locals, like Thomas Ryan, can’t imagine living any other way.
“My ex-wife, who is from Massachusetts, grew tired of me always dressing up,” said Ryan, a 32-year-old Frenchmen Street resident who has worn a Jean Lafitte pirate outfit every day since he was 19 because it feels ‘more natural.’
“She said it was either her or the costume — and, well, as you can see, she’s now my ex. I was born and raised in New Orleans, and not dressing up just doesn’t feel right.”
Ryan’s wife isn’t the only one who finds herself at odds with the city’s joie de vivre. Confusion often runs rampant among tourists, too.
Silverton, Oregon resident Mark Andrews shared that since he arrived in the Crescent City last week, he’s lost track of when Halloween actually is because locals have been dressed up every day.
“I’ve seen everything from newborns just out of the delivery room to centenarians on their deathbeds dressed up in all kinds of crazy outfits, and all having a great time. It’s everyone. All the time. Everywhere,” said a wide-eyed Andrews.
“I didn’t even know Halloween hadn’t passed yet until you [NGN reporter] just mentioned it. Back home, most adults stop dressing up for Halloween after about age 24, but here, it’s like being in a real-life fairytale.”
Another tourist, Carlos Lozano of Shawnee, Kansas, said this is his sixth trip to the Big Easy, and he has learned to go with the flow.
“Most of what I saw when I first came to New Orleans didn’t make any sense whatsoever — like why a husky man would be strolling through the French Market in a prom dress on a random Wednesday,” Lozano said.
“I learned you don’t ask questions. You just roll with it. Then, all of a sudden, it hooks you right in the heart and you’re in love.”
Founded on May 7, 1718, New Orleans is ready to celebrate Halloween once again, just like any other day, for the 111,942nd day in a row.
