Knott's Scary Farm · 2026
Select Nights, September 17 – October 31, 2026 · Calico Mine Stage
A percussive, early New Orleans Fèt Gede–inspired celebration conceived, written and directed by Rovin Jay for Knott's Scary Farm — a journey into the realm of Baron Samedi, the Vodou Lwa of the cemetery. The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans is our guide through primal rhythms that reawaken memories deeply embedded in our souls, as spirits dance, manipulate fire, and fly over our heads.
Your life has ended, but the party has just begun.
Welcome, Chè
Your life has ended
Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, meets you at the cemetery gate. She has been dead for more than a century, and she is glad you could make it.
Him Who Keep the Grave
But the party has just begun
Baron Samedi, lord of the cemetery, arrives with the Gede at his heels. He's charming and menacing in equal measure, and he decides who goes into the ground and who gets to dance a while longer.
Above the Gate
A spirit overhead
The gate is open, and a spirit climbs the rope into the light above the crowd. For a moment, the ritual leaves the ground.
The fire
Live flame among the tombs
Maman Brigitte keeps the graves. Her name traces back to Brigid, the Irish saint whose sacred flame burned at Kildare. She moves through the candlelit cemetery in live flame, and the feast of the dead begins to burn.
The press
The verdict
“What really makes Voodoo: Bayou's Edge incredible is the tight integration of the elements.”
— Scott Attula · MiceChat, 2026
The Concept
A Fèt Gede–Inspired Celebration
Fèt Gede is the Haitian feast of the dead. Its spirits, the Gede, are led by Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte: tricksters and truth-tellers who laugh at death because they've already crossed it. The drums, rum, and dancing among the graves here at Bayou's Edge echo the celebrations associated with Marie Laveau in Congo Square and on the banks of Bayou St. John. She rests now in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, but the party never stopped.
The Music
Ritual to Rave
The score follows one rhythm out of Congo Square. It opens with the bamboula, the drum and dance of the Sunday gatherings where Black New Orleanians kept African music alive. Its pulse, the three-three-two pattern musicians call the tresillo, still runs underneath jazz, R&B, rock and roll, and hip-hop. It also traveled the Caribbean and resurfaces in dembow, the dancehall-born beat that drives our finale. The ritual becomes a rave.
The Spirits
The Lwa
Voodoo Queen of New Orleans
Marie Laveau
Our guide through the night, leading the newly arrived across the threshold.
Lord of the Cemetery
Baron Samedi
The trickster lord of the dead, holding court from his throne. When he drives his shovel into the ground, the ritual becomes a rave.
Keeper of the Graves
Maman Brigitte
Baron's wife, revealed as a living altar with fire in each hand.
Gatekeeper of the Crossroads
Papa Legba
The old man at the gate, whose hand opens the way to all that follows.
Spirits of the Cemetery
The Gede
The irreverent family of Lwa who govern death and the crossroads — and the cemetery's living rhythm section.
On Stage
Opening Weekend
Photos · Scott Attula / MiceChat · Den Mother Knows Best · MouseInfo · dcwaterboy · Knott's Scary Farm 2026
Coverage
In the Press
"The show doesn't stop for the performances; it rolls them into one continuous show. Everything is tied together with music."
Scott Attula · MiceChat · September 18, 2026
"This has a lot of Rovin's signature sauce, but the execution here is superb."
"Dancers are hanging off the towers, running around the stage, mingling with Baron Samedi and Marie Laveau — it's quite the theatrical spectacle."
Read Full Review →"The stunning spectacle of Voodoo: Bayou's Edge"
Joey Inigo · MouseInfo · September 17, 2026
"This enchanting variety show features thrilling feats and musical beats creating a fun and thrilling alternative to the scares and screams."
"This show proves to be quite popular so if you want to snag a bench seat, we suggest arriving at least 30 minutes before showtime."
MouseInfo also filmed the full opening-night performance — see Watch, above.
Read the Guide →"The show comes from the mind of the respected Rovin Jay"
Todd Martens · Los Angeles Times · August 25, 2026
"Also new this year is a show titled Voodoo: Bayou's Edge, which takes place on an outdoor stage. The production centers on a voodoo queen and the mysterious happenings in a cemetery. Knott's is pitching it as a music, dance-focused show."
"The show comes from the mind of the respected Rovin Jay, who has long been closely involved in the park's spectacular Ghost Town Alive!"
Read Full Article →Creative Team & Cast
Credits
Voodoo: Bayou's Edge · Knott's Scary Farm
Conceived, Written & Directed · 2026
Rovin Jay
Original Song "Papa Legba"
Rovin Jay
Music Production & Arrangement
Rob Perez
Music Supervision
Rovin Jay
Choreographer
Sonya Lanet Randall
Production Stage Manager
Kellie Hagemann
Stage
Calico Mine Stage
Run
Select nights, September 17 – October 31, 2026
Photography
Scott Attula · Den Mother Knows Best · MouseInfo
Cast
Marie Laveau
Regina Levert
Baron Samedi
Dedrick Bonner
Maman Brigitte
Tiana Powell
Aerialist
Storm Hovan
Contortionist
Norbert Tonquino
The Gede
Ashure Anderson, Antoine (AJ) Armstrong, Dylan Caberto, Omar Ceja, Elva “Elle” Escoffery, Elija Samuel Figueroa, Edvan Galvan, Emily James, Precious Montgomery
Now playing through October 31, 2026