13th Annual Jim Monaghan's Halloween Parade October 31, 2008

For the 13th time, Jim Monaghan's Halloween parade will roll through the Quarter

Posted by Angus Lind, Columnist, The Times-Picayune October 30, 2008 4:00AM

Editor's note: Check out NOLA's complete Haunted New Orleans section with event updates, photos, videos, contests and more at www.nola.com/haunted.

Halloween parades are supposed to be spooky, but this year's version of Jim Monaghan's Annual Halloween Parade through the French Quarter has almost supernatural implications.

The feisty opinionated Irishman, one of the city's great characters and curmudgeons, died almost seven years ago but his wit lives on and so does his fright night parade, which emanates from Molly's at the Market, 1107 Decatur St.

Long an oasis and soapbox for journalists and politicians, it is now run by his son, Jim, who is the parade's big kahuna/grand marshal, a staple for any procession in New Orleans.

Tonight marks the 13th annual parade, and for Jim Sr., 13 was always a lucky number. He was born on May 13, 1938.

"He wore a gold number 13 on a chain around his neck, for that brief time when men's gold necklaces were in fashion. He even contrived to die on the 13th (December 2001)," said Liz Scott Monaghan, his widow.

Obviously he never suffered from triskaidekaphobia, which is fear of the number 13.

Jim Jr. was born on Nov. 26, as in 13 times two. He opened his own place, at 632 Frenchmen St., in honor of his dad in 2003 and named it 13 Monaghan's.

Halloween is Oct. 31, which is 13 reversed. And this, the 13th edition of the Monaghan parade, will have some competition, parade-wise, for the first time, with Blaine Kern's fledgling Krewe of Boo. So, in the time-honored tradition of Molly's, the Monaghan krewe members will adjust and cool their heels until the Krewe of Boo passes on North Peters Street.

"We'll just have to drink a little more beer," Jim Jr. said. "We're good at that. And we'll just follow his (Kern's) parade. There are absolutely no hard feelings. Blaine's a friend."

Monaghan estimates that his parade will likely be under way by 7:45 p.m., but members will remain flexible, and flex their muscles by lifting some more 12-ounce weights, if necessary. And he's hoping for a big turnout for both parades because right now, he said, the economy is really impacting bars, restaurants and merchants in the French Quarter.

Monaghan Sr. started the parade simply because there was no Halloween parade and like most Irishmen, he loved parades. He created the Decatur Street Irish Club Parade, sponsored the Bastille Day Parade for many years and then began the Halloween parade. His lively funeral in 2001 was more like a parade than a funeral and followed the same route his parades did.

Participation in the Halloween parade, as was his wish, remains comparatively inexpensive and open to anyone inclined to participate in such an event.

"We're still in the cheap seats," said Liz Monaghan, referring to the cost, which is $100 and includes a place on a carriage and parade throws.

This year's parade, as usual, will feature costumed riders in horse-drawn carriages, throwing Halloween trinkets, beads and candy. They will be accompanied by the Storyville Stompers Brass Band (which the elder Monaghan once managed), stilt walkers, the Big Easy Roller Girls on roller skates, the legendary Kazoozie Floozies kazoo band and marching drill team, and the Camel Toe Ladies Steppers dance team.

Participants will gather at Molly's in the early evening for a pre-parade pep talk and chalkboard discussion. When it rolls, the parade will proceed up Decatur Street to Iberville Street, to Burgundy, to Dauphine, to Conti, to Bourbon, to Gov. Nicholls and end where it started, in front of Molly's on Decatur Street.

Where the post-parade analysis will begin.

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