If you’re in New Orleans this October, you won’t have to wait for Taylor Swift‘s concert to catch a glimpse of her. Louellen Berger has transformed her annual Halloween display on the corner of St. Charles Avenue and State Street into a “Terror Swift” extravaganza, dedicated to the pop star.
Known for her quirky and elaborate Halloween setups, Berger has outdone herself this year by creating skeletal versions of Swift that playfully capture the toll of a grueling tour schedule.
But these aren’t glamorous versions of Swift. Berger‘s display depicts her as a skeleton with sunken eyes and a gaunt frame.
“Touring will do that to anybody. But underneath it all, Swift‘s still got great bones,” Berger declared.
Berger‘s annual display, which features over 80 costumed skeletons, has become a local favorite, and this year’s theme, “Terror Swift: The scERAS Tour,” is sure to delight Swift fans with a knack for puns and a love for the singer’s discography.
A family affair with Swiftie insights
While Berger may not have been an expert on Taylor Swift initially, her eleven grandchildren, ranging from ages 3 to 13, quickly filled in the gaps. They insisted that Swift‘s skeleton doppelgngers reflect different album eras, leading to a total of thirteen “Terror Swifts.” Berger’s granddaughter Ande Tiller sketched out costume ideas, and granddaughters Grace and Lilian Berger crafted tiny skull friendship bracelets to complete the look.
The display is rich with Swiftie “Easter eggs” that true fans will recognize, including heart-shaped eye patches and references to the number 13. And with a wink to Swift‘s rumored romance, a skeleton “Travis Skelce” even makes an appearance. Despite the spotlight on Swift, the display features returning favorites like skeleton musicians and local New Orleans icons, as well as new characters like “Snoop Dogg Gone.”
Berger has been creating Halloween displays since 2002, with her setups growing more detailed each year. Planning for this tribute began as soon as Swift announced her New Orleans tour stop, and the real work kicked off around Labor Day. Berger credits her assistant, Manuel Chacon, for helping bring the intricate display to life. As final touches were made, visitors from all over, including tourists and neighbors, stopped by to enjoy the scene.
The display has drawn admiration from the community, with local residents praising Berger‘s creativity and the joy it brings to the neighborhood. Berger herself has become a Swift fan through the process and plans to attend one of Swift‘s New Orleans shows with her family, fully embracing her new role as a Swiftie.
