Krewe of Boo! - with Deedre Daniel and Guest: Brian Kern

Shut Up and Say Something!® with Deedre Daniel

Have you ever wanted to be on one of those massive parade floats? Did you ever consider all the work that goes into running a parade? Parades are a big business with a lot of details to manage. Meet Brian Kern, an event planner extraordinaire and the Head Spookster of the Krewe of Boo! Halloween Parade in New Orleans. He and Deedre Daniel talk about:

🎙 The long and fascinating parade history in New Orleans and the important role his family’s business played in the tradition and the continuing evolution of it.

🎙 His Krewe of Boo – all about the Halloween parade and the many parties and events he created to go with it, including a race filled with monsters and a jazz-themed killer party planned in March.

🎙 How YOU can be on a float in their next Halloween parade and attend all of the fun parties!

🎙 The big business of parades.

🎙 Some friction points and other considerations event organizers deal with when planning a parade in any major city.

🎙 His shift away from throwing the traditional plastic beads to the crowd.

🎙 His plans to enhance the Krewe-member experience and dreams to expand the Halloween presence in New Orleans further.

🎙 A ghost story involving a military vessel.

🎙 His entertaining and educational show recommendations.

🎙 How his network led to finding new and interesting side hustles he loves – despite dealing with the annoying driving behaviors of the general public.

🎙 A new kind of hawt dog!

🎙 The magical powers of mushrooms – not the trippy kind.

🎙How he avoids germs.

🎙His top New Orleans restaurant recommendation.

This episode ends with some new questions from The Very Interesting Game® “HALLOWEEN” edition.

Bio:

Brian has made it his mission to build a spooktacular weekend for Krewe of BOO! and its many events, deeming himself the King of Halloween in New Orleans. Just as his father is dubbed "Mr. Mardi Gras," Brian is on his way to becoming "Mr. All Hallow's," the Jack Skellington of New Orleans, the Krewe of Boo's Chief Spookster.​

But his claim to fame, aside from organizing this weekend of spooky festivities, is his innovative solution to the beads waste problem: Locally-made throws that won't leave tons of leftover trash. Beads are still a big throw item, but to reduce the aftermath of trash, Brian has teamed up with the makers of New Orleans-made food items and local collectible objects that parade-goers will want to consume or keep as mementos.

Brian encourages parade-goers to don their favorite, family-friendly Halloween costumes, bring bags to collect throws, and shout "Throw Me Somethin', Monsta!" as they watch the Krewe of BOO! parade pass by.​

To ride on one of his Halloween floats next year, or to attend the other fun events he has planned, go to https://www.kreweofboo.com/

Do you know someone who lives a fascinating life or looks at the world through the lens of humor? Nominate them to be on a future episode by simply sending several ridiculous and intriguing questions about them to [e-mail]. No need to send a BIO or fill out a lengthy application! If your nominee is selected, you will receive a shout-out on that episode, a SHUT UP and SAY SOMETHING!® sticker, and a mug of your choice from the merch page on interestingconversations.com.

Contact or Follow Deedre Daniel here:

https://interestingconversations.com/links/

Originally recorded on October 17, 2022