This south Louisiana neighborhood is the place to be for Halloween
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Imperial Woods in Harahan has built a reputation as the go-to spot for Halloween in New Orleans metro.
Why it matters: It's one of the few neighborhoods keeping old-school, door-to-door trick-or-treating alive.
The big picture: Thousands of children, parents and grandparents flock to the streets for a massive Halloween block party.
- Harahan police shut down the streets, and homeowners go all out with decorations, music and festivities.
- "The whole thing is crazy," says Harahan Police Chief Edward Lepre, who lives in the neighborhood.
- "I like to embrace the crazy because I'm just that guy," Mayor Tim Baudier adds with a laugh.
The vibe: In past years, homeowners have had free popcorn stands and DIY slime stations, in addition to over-the-top decorations and buckets of candy.
- This year, there will be a haunted house in the neighborhood, Baudier says.
- Port-a-potties will be on Doescher Drive and West Imperial Drive, police say.
The intrigue: While trick-or-treating has decreased over the years in other neighborhoods, Imperial Woods has successfully grown the crowds.
- Baudier credits the city's efforts to attract young families and promote a reputation of safety.
Between the lines: Everyone's welcome to trick-or-treat in Imperial Woods, not just residents, Baudier notes.
- Just be respectful of the homeowners' property, Lepre says.
- Baudier says he thinks of Halloween as a marketing opportunity. Maybe you come for trick-or-treating and then you see a boutique or restaurant to come back and visit later.
My thought bubble: I've trick-or-treated in Imperial Woods with my family and it blows my mind.
- One year, I saw a homeowner throwing candy from a balcony á la Mardi Gras.
- The vibe reminds me of trick-or-treating when I was a kid — costumed children in the streets with the whole neighborhood involved. It's incredible.
If you go: Harahan police close the roads around 5pm Friday. Trick-or-treating normally ends around 10pm.
- With the good forecast, Baudier says, "we're anticipating something like we've never seen before."
- Arrive early for the best chances of finding street parking.
- Parents should put a card in their kids' pockets with their name, phone number and address in case they get separated, Lepre says.
