The annual Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle, which transforms downtown Athens into a whimsical Halloween wonderland, is one of the few places where standing out means blending in.
For those with a creative bent, this is the perfect time to show off your sewing, crafting, and building skills. Among the diverse townspeople and travelers, you’ll find some truly creative, impressive, and magical costumes and cosplay. Of course, wearing a trendy store-bought outfit, or even just a sweatshirt and jeans, attending the parade or standing stageside to watch the performance are all fair game. Everyone is welcome.
Parade attendee Nelita Willey discussed with Flagpole her costume plans for the Wild Rumpus, a humorous twist on the Greek myth of Pandora. She wears a basic pseudo-Greek outfit and carries a box containing a bouncy snake that pops out when opened. She says characters from folklore, fairy tales and world mythology are easy to mix and match because they can resemble anything and be represented with accessories and motifs specific to that character.
“When I was a kid, I didn’t have many store-bought costumes because they were too expensive, but as time went on I realized that I preferred the quality of handmade costumes, and I started working on more niche costumes. I realized the fact that I could become a concept or a character,’ ” says Willie.
Another regular and enthusiastic participant of Wild Rumpus is Farrah Johnson. She is currently planning some costumes for the musical Bridgerton and Death Becomes, which she is obsessed with.
“First, I get all the source material, like photos and videos. Then I look around the house for materials and clothing items that I can use for costumes. Finally, I go to the thrift store and say, ‘Nothing. Check out the “Don’t Buy” Facebook page. I try to reuse as many items as possible in my costumes,” says Johnson.
Halloween is coming sooner than expected. Willy reminds us that we don’t have to dress up to enjoy the parade. She suggests wearing a wig with quirky items in your closet or trying out avant-garde makeup with a simple outfit. When it comes to last-minute outfit planning, Johnson adds that it doesn’t have to be complicated, and that you have clothing items in your closet that you rarely wear because you don’t have the right occasion. There are also tips for putting together costumes on a budget.
“Before you go shopping, take a look at what you have at home, then go to the thrift store. After you’ve created your basic costume, save your larger purchases on certain accessories, props, etc. Many things are much easier to make than you think. Don’t be afraid of hot glue! It’s the details that make a costume look great, so if you feel like you’re missing a detail, you can always do it! You can add glass rhinestones or artificial flowers that you can buy at craft stores. Glitter also goes a long way,” says Willie.
At the end of the day, Wild Rumpus is about having fun and having fun, in whatever form it takes.
“I look forward to dancing my heart out every year. I usually start the night by hanging out with my friends and then go out on stage and dance until I can’t dance anymore,” Johnson says.
mason pearson
All things Wild Rumpus will be packed this Saturday, October 26th, with a pre-parade Rumpus Rally held at Creature Comforts Brewery from 5pm to 8pm. There, live music and beer will energize the crowd, and the parade will begin marching at exactly 8 p.m. This year’s theme is MoonLIT and will be commemorated by merchandise available at the festival. The parade route begins on West Hancock Avenue next to Creature Comforts, winds its way through downtown streets, and ends at W. Washington Street. Local musicians will perform along the parade route to boost morale and provide ongoing entertainment. At the end of the route, there will be a block-wide dance party celebrating Rumpusland. Multiple stages will feature DJs, community dance groups, and other entertainment, as well as fire spinners, aerialist performers, and laser lights.
Once the street party ends at 11pm, all the gathered creatures of the night can continue the party at the after-party ‘Midnight Howl’ at Paloma Park. There the music and drinks keep flowing until 2am
The official festival zone spans four blocks separated by street barricades, and open drinking is permitted with the purchase of a $5 wristband from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. will be done. Wristbands can be purchased at Creature Comforts, Paloma Park, Cheba Hut, Rook & Pawn, Ted’s Most Best, Trappeze Pub, Flicker Theater & Bar, Clocked, and El Paso Tacos + Tequila. Drinking alcohol on the street outside of designated areas remains illegal.
For event details, fundraisers and more, visit wildrumpus.org.
mason pearson
Rumpus Rally 5-8pm (Creature Comforts Brewery): Organically Programmed, Love.Craft Band, Decadence
Wild Rumpus Parade 8pm (Downtown Athens): El ChupaSKAbra, Fishbug, Beast Mode, Woah Nelly, Nadia Vaeh, Karma Kat, Father Werewolf, Libbaloops + Bryant Perez, Jigg + Molly’Tu Hott, Squallé, Trepid (with Grandfath3er) Feature)
Lumpsland Celebration 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM (W. Washington Street to Lumpkin Street to Pulaski Street): Dance performances by the Booty Boys, Fairies, DJ Elwyn, League of Steps, Danza Azteca, and Belli Dance Company.
Midnight Howl 11pm-2am (Paloma Park): Cardinal & the Flock, BROasis
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