Tag Archives: NYC Halloween Parade

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS: NYC VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE MARKS 50 YEARS WITH ‘UPSIDE DOWN’

The Village Halloween Parade in New York City is celebrating 50 years with this year’s theme, UPSIDE/DOWN © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, www.goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Village Halloween Parade, celebrating 50 years since it began as a small neighborhood “promenade” and has become one of the largest Halloween events in the world, was themed UPSIDE/DOWN, reflecting the tumult of the last few years, and inviting self-reflection.  

“The Halloween Parade has always been a night of transformation, but this topsy turvy year feels even more-so in terms of realizing a dream, being who you are most authentically in your imagination,” said Jeanne Fleming, Artistic and Producing Director.

The Village Halloween Parade, celebrating 50 years, gives New Yorkers an opportunity to show off their creativity, artistry and humor © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Hundreds of thousands of spectators packed the streets along the mile-long parade route from Canal Street to 16th Street along Sixth Avenue,  to thrill at hundreds of puppets, 50 bands representing music from around the world, dancers, artists, and thousands of other New Yorkers in costumes of their own creation in the nation’s most wildly creative public participatory event in the greatest city in the world – the biggest crowds since 2019.

“I’m astonished by how many people are here,” said a justifiably proud and delighted Fleming. “We invite people to come out and they did!”

Village Halloween Parade Director Jeanne Fleming was delighted with a huge turnout of  costumed parade goers and spectators © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Spectators thrilled at seeing hundreds of puppets, 50 bands and dancers representing music from around the world and New York’s melting pot, and tens of thousands of New Yorkers in costumes of their own creation, in the nation’s most wildly creative public participatory event in the greatest city in the world.

The Village Halloween Parade, celebrating 50 years, gives New Yorkers an opportunity to show off their creativity, artistry and humor © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Started by Greenwich Village mask maker and puppeteer Ralph Lee in 1973, the Parade began as a walk from house to house in his neighborhood for his children and their friends.

After the second year of this local promenade, Theater for the New City stepped in and produced the event on a larger scale as part of their City in the Streets program.

 
Fogo Azul NYC, an all-women Brazilian drumline, is one of about 50 bands joining the Village Halloween Parade © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Today the Parade is the largest celebration of its kind in the world and has been picked by Festivals International as “The Best Event in the World” for October 31.

Now, 50 years later, the Parade draws more than 70,000 costumed participants and some 2 million spectators, including television-viewing audience, live on NY1 beginning at 8 pm.

Parade marchers really interact with the spectators, to everyone’s delight © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

In 1994, the Mayor of the City of New York issued a Proclamation honoring the Village Halloween Parade for 20 years of bringing everyone in the City together in a joyful and creative way and being a boon to the economic life of the City. “New York is the world’s capital of creativity and entertainment. The Village Halloween Parade presents the single greatest opportunity for all New Yorkers to exhibit their creativity in an event that is one-of-a-kind, unique and memorable every year. New Yorkers of all ages love Halloween, and this delightful event enables them to enjoy it every year and join in with their own special contributions. The Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village is a true cultural treasure.”

The irony is that while Halloween is about taking on a completely different persona, at the Village Halloween Parade, we see New Yorkers’ true selves.

And that’s true to the Upside/Down-Inside/Out theme.

Here are more photo highlights:

The Village Halloween Parade in New York City marks 50 years © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Giant puppets are a hallmark of the New York City’s Village Halloween Parade © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Village Halloween Parade, celebrating 50 years, gives New Yorkers an opportunity to show off their creativity, artistry and humor © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Giant puppets are a hallmark of the New York City’s Village Halloween Parade © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Village Halloween Parade, celebrating 50 years, gives New Yorkers an opportunity to show off their creativity, artistry and humor © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Village Halloween Parade, celebrating 50 years, gives New Yorkers an opportunity to show off their creativity, artistry and humor © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Parade marchers really interact with the spectators, to everyone’s delight © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade marchers enjoy interacting with spectators much to their delight © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Village Halloween Parade, celebrating 50 years, gives New Yorkers an opportunity to show off their creativity, artistry and humor © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
All you need to march in the Village Halloween Parade – the people’s parade – is a costume © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Village Halloween Parade in New York City marks 50 years © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com 
Village Halloween Parade showcases the many cultures of New York’s melting pot © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Village Halloween Parade in New York City marks 50 years © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com 
Grand Marshal of the Village Halloween Parade Laurie Anderson © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
 Fogo Azul NYC, an all-women Brazilian drumline, is one of about 50 bands joining the Village Halloween Parade © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
L Train Brass Band brings its joyful music to the Village Halloween Parade © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
All you need to march in the Village Halloween Parade – the people’s parade – is a costume © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Village Halloween Parade, celebrating 50 years, gives New Yorkers an opportunity to show off their creativity, artistry and humor © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Thriller at the Village Halloween Parade © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade features some of the best bands in New York City© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade features some of the best bands in New York City© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Music is in the air at the village Halloween Parade © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Village Halloween Parade, celebrating 50 years, gives New Yorkers an opportunity to show off their creativity, artistry and humor © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Village Halloween Parade, celebrating 50 years, gives New Yorkers an opportunity to show off their creativity, artistry and humor © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Costumed Village Halloween Parade enjoy interacting with spectators much to their delight © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Costumed Village Halloween Parade enjoy interacting with spectators much to their delight © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Costumed Village Halloween Parade enjoy interacting with spectators much to their delight © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Village Halloween Parade in New York City is celebrating 50 years with the theme, UPSIDE/DOWN © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

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© 2023 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to [email protected]. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/KarenBRubin 

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New York City’s Village Halloween Parade 2022 Celebrates Freedom

Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Not even a surprise rainshower could dampen the spirits marching down 6th avenue for the New York’s famed Village Halloween Parade – and there were spirits galore.

Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The 49th Annual Village Halloween was themed FREEDOM! It’s a move! It’s a moment! Feel it!!! The Grand Marshal for 2022 was The Brooklyn United Marching Band with special surprise guests who played Jon Batiste’s song Freedom! 

Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

 “We are encouraging glittery costumes, your best dance moves and anything that allows you to feel light, joyful, free and colorful! We’re gonna lift the spirits of the whole world!” says Jeanne Fleming, Artistic and Producing Director. “However you do it, feel the joy and freedom of expression in one of New York’s most iconic and wildly creative events!

Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The parade is the nation’s largest public Halloween celebration, has been named by Events International as The Greatest Event on Earth on October 31, and ranked 3rd by Citysearch as the best event in New York City.

“Tranny Grannies” from Asheville NC at Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

It draws people (as we found) from around the world – Poland, England, Corsica among the locales.

Indeed, by bringing hundreds of thousands of tourists, the event generates an estimated $90 million in tourism dollars for the city, providing Greenwich Village businesses and restaurants their best night of the year.

Dominique and J.J. traveled from Corsica, France, especially for the Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

And, by turning a large and complex city into a small town for just one night, the Parade has been a pioneer in the critical movement toward the resurrection and rejuvenation of the City.

Here are Parade highlights:

Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Family enjoying Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Family visiting from Massachusetts for the Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Liz and Sophie from Huntington, Long Island enjoy VIP seats at Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Susan Solow and son Daniel (the cow), from Long Island at Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Village Halloween Parade 2022, NYC © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

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© 2022 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to [email protected]. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures