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Do you want to do something different this holiday season? Something really different? Try taking the Santa & Rougarou’s Creepy Christmas Boat Cruise in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
What did you say? Santa has an axe?
The Mystic Ghost Ride Company would like to take you on their creepy Christmas boat tour featuring Santa and the Rougarou out on the bayou.
The Rougarou is a monster from Cajun folklore. The monster in the legend is described as having the body of a man and the head of a wolf or dog. The Rougarou prowls the Louisiana bayous.
The Rougarou is Louisiana’s bayou dwelling werewolf. They are described as having glowing red eyes and razor sharp teeth. The name rougarou is derived from the French loup-garou which means werewolf.
The legend was used by elders to warn children to behave. It also served as a cautionary tale for adults about the consequences of breaking religious rules, especially not observing Lent.
It is said that humans can be transformed into a Rougarou by being bitten by one or by being cursed. You can protect yourself from the Rougarou by laying 13 small objects by your doors. Apparently, when a person changes into a Rougarou they forget how to count past 12 since they’re only interested in midnight.
Enjoy the bonfire at the Creepy Camp. You can purchase s’mores and hot chocolate or you can bring your own bottle on the cruise. You may need some liquid courage in the bayou.
Your tour will depart from No Name Marina and go down Bayou Caddy. Mystic Molly will be your guide. She’s a masterful storyteller and will unfold a spooky Santa and the Rougarou fairytale for you. It will be a holly, haunted Christmas story.
You’ll also hear about the old souls captured in the mists of the marsh. And you’ll learn about local Christmas traditions.
Listen to spooky Cajun folklore while gliding down the bayou to the Haunted Trail. Step off the boat and enter the Haunted Trail in the midst of the dark cypress swamp.
This cruise is not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Children must know who Santa is to participate in the cruise.
Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. You may want to bring a flashlight and insect repellent. You can BYOB but no glass containers.
So, come and go into the bayou and hear about Santa and the Rougarou…if you dare.
Coupon
I’ve seen this cruise going for as much as $79 for one ticket by online ticket brokers. Buy your ticket here and you can save $12 (15% discount) on each ticket. The savings will be automatic and you won’t need to enter a promo code or coupon code.
Location
Bay St. Louis is a lovely seaside town with white sandy beaches. Quaint and beautiful by day, but it can get seriously creepy at night. Find out why Bay St. Louis is one of the most haunted coastal communities in America on a Ghost & Cemetery Walking Tour. Or take a Haunted Historic Bayou Cruise.
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, is within 27 miles of Biloxi, Gulfport, Picayune and Long Beach.
Cajun Folklore
If you’d like to read more about Cajun folklore, try these books. And you can use our links to see how you can save money on them.
- Cajun & Creole Folktales by Barry Jean Ancelet
- Gumbo Ya Ya: A Collection Of Louisiana Folk Tales by Lyle Saxon and Edward Dreyer