Village Halloween Parade – Advice to Help You Enjoy the Parade

1) Use public transportation (The subway is probably your safest bet).

*Avoid driving at all costs, as an estimated 2 million people attend the parade each year

* Streets will be closed off and parking is already impossible in NYC without the parade going on

* The Halloween Parade Official Website lets you know which trains to take to which stations.

2) Get there at least an hour before it starts.

*Viewers start lining up several hours before the parade begins so you will want to give yourself some time in order to get a good view.

* The parade starts at 6th Ave and Spring Street so you will want to line up somewhere around there. Reminder that the police are closing off streets West of 6th Avenue, so approach the parade from the South and the East

* If you want to participate in the Halloween Parade, arrive in costume sometime between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

* Participants line up on 6th Avenue between Spring Street and Canal Street

3) Be cautious of the crowds

* Pick a meeting place just in case members of your group get separated

* Keep cell phones on vibrate somewhere on your body so that you will be aware when members of your group try to contact you

* Pay especially close attention to young children and always hold their hand, as they can get so excited that they wander off

4) Dress appropriately for the weather

* definitely check the weather before leaving the house, as the average low temperatures in the past have been in the mid-forties or lower

5) Make dinner reservations or eat before the parade

* You should definitely try to make reservations if you are planning on going to a restaurant or bar before or after the parade

* If you’d like to experience some haunted restaurants in New York, check out Jekyll and Hyde Restaurant and Bar and The Manhattan Bistro

* If you do not want to be bothered with crowded bars and restaurants then you should eat a big meal before the parade, as it can be long and tiring (especially if you are marching in it)

6) Have a very creative costume if you want to be noticed in the parade

* Add your own flare to a costume in order to spice it up. For example, instead of just wearing a Captain Jack Sparrow costume that others could have bought from a store as well, consider adding the crazy, multiple eyes make-up Jack Sparrow wears in the second Pirates of the Caribbean

* Pay attention to what is on T.V. (celebrities, political figures, reality T.V. stars) to get fun ideas for costumes that may not be available in stores

* Consider group themes that will make a lasting impression

* Ex: Instead of just being Michael Jackson, consider teaming up with friends to imitate different Michael Jackson looks/phases.

* Ex: Many people will probably dress up like Kate Gosselin. Why don’t you try getting friends to dress up like her eight children (with 5 girls dressed alike and 3 boys dressed alike)

* The theme of the 2009 NYC Village Halloween Parade is “Terra Incognita,” so if you’d like to cater to the theme then think nautical, as the streets will be decorated to resemble the sea

7) Buy tickets for Halloween Parade After Parties at least one week in advance

* Tickets for Halloween night get sold out very quickly so you’ll want to make sure you plan your night in advance

* You will also have more options if you buy your tickets early because more venues will be available.

Diana Attina is a writer and recent graduate of Lafayette College. She is currently working as an Editorial Assistant at Joonbug. For more information about Halloween parties in NYC visit Halloweenguide.com or http://newyork.joonbug.com/halloween.asp.

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