The annual Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle that transforms downtown Athens into a whimsical Halloween wonderland is one of the few places where standing out means fitting in.
For the creatively inclined, it’s the perfect time of year to show off sewing, crafting and building skills. Among the diverse crowd of townies and travelers, you’re likely to spot some truly creative, impressive and magical costumes and cosplays. Of course store-bought and trendy costumes, or even just a sweatshirt and jeans, is all fair game to participate by walking in the parade or standing stage-side to catch the performances. Everyone is welcomed.
Parade-goer Nelita Willey discussed her Wild Rumpus costume plan with Flagpole, which is to go as Pandora from the Greek myth with a slightly humorous twist. She’ll be dressed in basic pseudo-Grecian attire carrying a box rigged with springy snakes to pop out when opened. She says that characters from folktales, fairy tales or world mythologies are easier to throw together because they can look like anything and be conveyed with accessories or motifs unique to the character.
“When I was growing up I rarely had store-bought costumes because they were too expensive for us, but over time I realized that I preferred the quality of homemade costumes, as well as the fact that I could go as more niche concepts or characters,” says Willey.
Another regular and enthusiastic Wild Rumpus attendee is Farrah Johnson, who has several costumes planned around her current obsessions with “Bridgerton” and the Death Becomes Her musical.
“First I grab all of my source materials—pictures, videos, etc.—then I go through things around my house to find materials and clothing items that I can use for my costumes. Finally I go to the thrift stores and check the ‘buy nothing’ Facebook pages. I try to reuse as many items as I possibly can for my costumes,” says Johnson.
Halloween has a way of coming up faster than expected, and Willey gives a reminder that you don’t have to dress up as something specific to have a good time at the parade. She suggests throwing on a wig with some odd items from your closet or just trying out an avant-garde makeup look with a simple outfit. For last-minute costume planning Johnson adds that it doesn’t have to be complicated, and many of us have clothing items in our closets we rarely wear because there’s never the right occasion. There are also tips for putting together a costume on a tight budget.
“Look at what you have in your house before you go buy stuff, then hit the thrift store. Save the larger purchases for things like specific accessories or props after you’ve built up a base costume. Also a lot of things are much easier to make than you might think. Don’t be afraid to hot glue! Details are really what make a costume look nice, so if you feel that yours is lacking you can always add some glass rhinestones or fake flowers from the craft store. Glitter can also go a long way,” says Willey.
Ultimately Wild Rumpus is about having a good time and enjoying yourself, in whatever way that looks like.
“I look forward to dancing my ass off every year. I usually hang with my friends for the beginning of the night, then head out to the stages to dance until I can’t dance anymore,” says Johnson.
Everything Wild Rumpus is packed into Saturday, Oct. 26 this year with a pre-parade Rumpus Rally from 5–8 p.m. at Creature Comforts Brewery, where live music and beer will hype the masses to begin their parade march at 8 p.m. sharp. This year’s theme is MoonLIT, commemorated by merch available at the festival. The parade route will start on West Hancock Avenue adjacent to Creature Comforts, snaking its way through the downtown streets before ending on W. Washington Street. Local musicians will be jamming out along the parade route to boost morale and provide pockets of continued entertainment. The end of the route opens up into a block-wide dance party of Rumpusland celebrations. Multiple stages will feature DJs, community dance groups and other entertainment in addition to fire spinners, aerialist performers and plenty of laser lights.
When the street party comes to an end at 11 p.m., all of the gathered creatures of the night can keep the party going at The Midnight Howl after party at Paloma Park. There the music and drinks will continue flowing until 2 a.m.
The official festival zone spans four blocks marked by street barricades where open-container drinking is allowed between the hours of 3 p.m.–1 a.m. with the purchase of a $5 wristband. Wristbands can be purchased at Creature Comforts, Paloma Park, Cheba Hut, Rook & Pawn, Ted’s Most Best, Trappeze Pub, Flicker Theatre & Bar, Clocked and El Paso Tacos + Tequila. Drinking alcohol on the streets outside of the designated zone is still illegal.
For more information about event details, the fundraising mission and more, visit wildrumpus.org.
Rumpus Rally 5–8 p.m. (Creature Comforts Brewery): Organically Programmed, Love.Craft Band and Dekadance
Wild Rumpus Parade 8 p.m. (Downtown Athens): El ChupaSKAbra, Fishbug, Beast Mode, Woah Nelly, Nadia Vaeh, Karma Kat, Father Werewolf, Libbaloops + Bryant Perez, Jiig + Molly’Tu Hott, Squallé and Trepid (featuring Grandfath3er)
Rumpusland Celebration 8–11 p.m. (W. Washington Street from Lumpkin to Pulaski streets): The Booty Boyz, Fairiez and DJ Ellwin with dance performances by League of Step, Danza Azteca and Belli Dance Company
The Midnight Howl11 p.m.–2 a.m. (Paloma Park): Cardynal & the Flock and BROasis
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