The Cycladic island of Ios is a rocky, mountainous environment of winding roads sometimes blocked by herds of bleating goats and sleepy villages hugging cerulean coastlines. In the 1960s, backpackers discovered the nearly untouched island and it became known as a hippie haven, hosting all-night beach parties, with a handful of cheap bars operating in the Chora (main town). A few decades later, nearby Santorini and Mykonos began to outshine their neighbor, attracting hordes of tourists each summer and investing in new developments. Meanwhile, Ios only got electricity across the entire island in the 1970s and most residents here are goat herders or farmers. Today, Mykonos has taken the nightlife crown and both it and Santorini have become severely over-touristed. Ios on the other hand, remains a quiet, mostly undeveloped paradise.
Before Halloween, This City In Georgia Experiences A Wild Yet Welcoming Rumpus
27.10.2023 - 13:51 / forbes.com
In Athens, Ga., a rumpus happens right before Halloween. But it’s of a different kind.
These festivities involves a pre-holiday celebration highlighted a colorful parade that brings out locals of all ages in costumes merrily along downtown.
The person behind “Wild Rumpus” is its founder, Timi Conley. This Athens resident has been organizing Halloween parties and events since his college days at UMass in the late eighties. Upon moving to Athens in 1991, Conley continued this through putting on Halloween shows with his band, Fuzzy Sprouts. It wasn’t until 2019 that Conley was working at indie record label when its founder suggested starting a parade as a promotion.
“That’s the genesis of Wild Rumpus,” summed up Conley. “First, I thought about calling it, the Wild Ruckus but then center on Wild Rumpus; [I’m] happy I did.”
According to Conley, the parade’s name comes from the children’s book, “Where The Wild Things Are.” The word “wild rumpus” in this Maurice Sedak story features its characters parading, shouting and swinging in trees under the moon.
Inaugurated on Halloween of 2009, the Wild Rumpus has become a major Halloween happening in Athens. The events centers on all-inclusive parade through downtown Athens with live music, and also several associated parties at neighboring venues.
“Everyone who shows up in a costume to the Wild Rumpus is invited to march in the parade,” said Conley. “It’s a large-scale participation event.”
The evening parade is kicked off by Conley, who also serves as master of ceremonies, who blasts a ceremonial conch shell horn. After marching through downtown, the Wild Rumpus Parade wraps up with a festival zone with a DJ dance street party.
After that party winds down, parade participants can head to the Royal Rumpus Ball official after-party at Paloma Park. Here, party-goers enjoy more live entertainment backed by a giant LED video screen with wild animations.
Marking its 13th year in 2023, the Wild Rumpus Halloween will have the theme "Twin Laser Kittens II," which is based on the Gemini astrological sign.
“Many families with all ages of children attend,” said Conley. However, Conley added that sometimes the costumes of participants can be “Halloween-ish” so parents of kids who might react differently “can decide if it is right for them.”
But what’s not so scary about this event is that it’s also a charitable one. Every year, Wild Rumpus organizers choose a new and local 501 © (3) beneficiary and encourages the event’s participants to give monetary donations to them.
“The decision is on organizations doing important, impactful work in our community,” said Conley. “This year, we partnered with Book For Keeps, a group that has given over a million free books to hungry young
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