On Halloween, anyone can dress up as whoever they want. Halloween is an event that people look forward to every year. Because New York is one of the most popular cities in the world, it strives to keep everyone entertained at all times. There are always lots of activities every month, and this month is no different. Catch the annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade this year, an event you surely don’t want to miss.
The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade takes place every year on Halloween, October 31. It is a free public event where anybody can watch or participate in costume, but purchasing a ticket provides privileges such as VIP access and additional ways to engage in the parade, from watching to participating in it or donating to the cause.
Freedom
An all-female brass band from Brooklyn called The Brass Queens will lead the parade for the first time. This marks history for women in the event that will include hundreds of floats and puppets. The Brooklyn United Marching Band are this year’s Grand Marshalls.
Spectators may witness the parade from the east or west side of 6th Avenue between King Street and West 15th Street. The streets are most congested between Bleecker and 14th Street. You might want to arrive early or try another location along the route.
The 2022 Halloween Parade’s theme is freedom. Jeanne Fleming, the parade director, stated that this year’s theme was “inspired not by the people of New York, but by their need to experience a place where fun is the main objective.” He stated that it is essential to experience joy and the freedom to be yourself.
This year’s procession honors those who battled for the rights everyone now enjoys. It will pay tribute to The Raging Grannies, who raise awareness about world peace, justice, and social and economic equality via song parodies and satire. Prepare for a lot of energy on the streets.
“Throughout history, when our country faced times of hardship, people flocked to the parade because extended the freedom to forget about whatever was going wrong and enjoy what was right in front of them, each other,” Fleming added.
The Parade’s History
The parade’s history dates back to 1973. Ralph Lee of the Mettawee River Theater Company planned it at his home, with all of the participants being puppets. In the succeeding years, the event grew from 200 to 1,500 attendees, which includes adults and children. The route was altered in 1977 from Jane Street along the Hudson River to Washington Square Park to 10th Street between Greenwich Avenue and 5th Avenue, still finishing in Washington Square. In 1979, the parade attracted 250,000 spectators, and its route stretched from 6th Avenue to 22nd Street. In 1990, a smaller Children’s Halloween Parade was held, and the tradition has since continued.
The march has become a symbol of New Yorkers’ resilience in the aftermath of 9/11, as well as a homage to those who died in the 2005 hurricane. There have only been two cancellations of the event: in 2012 and in 2020.
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs provides public funding to help support the parade. The City Council also helps fund the event that celebrates the cultural diversity of the world’s most fascinating metropolis.
Don’t forget that the parade starts at 7:00 pm and ends around 11:00 pm. You may also attend the event’s official after party, which is taking place at Webster Hall and is priced at $45. If you can’t join the parade, you can watch the live telecast at 8 p.m. on local cable channel NY1.
