In July/August of 2002 a meeting occurred between a sitting Village Board Member and the recreation department in general about the prospect of holding a Halloween Parade that coming October. A resident/merchant/recreation committee was formed within a few weeks and the parade idea was approved and was on for that initial year.

 

In October of ’02 the very first Down Town Halloween Parade took place on a “Sunday” with no rain date for that first year. The first parade route was declared from the Washington Irving School track down Washington St. to Main Street to Broadway then to Patriot’s Park basketball court for the post parade party with a D.J.

 

From ’03 to the present the parade route was reversed and it began in Patriot’s Park [assembled] and ended on Main Street for the block party.

 

In 2005 the parade attracted 28 floats which to this date is our high water mark for floats, we got close to that last year but the size of the parade now [musical groups/walker groups] is much bigger with over 3,500 spectators including more who come down for the bloc party to enjoy the musical entertainment.

 

We are heading into our 13th parade season, the event has expanded beyond the original time frame to 10:30 at night now to accommodate a live musical group performing after the normal two hour D.J. stint.

 

The Main Street merchants have also contributed to our evening of fun by setting up their eateries on the side walk that night to allow spectators a place to eat and enjoy a front row seat of the festivities prior, during the parade, and after for the bloc party activities.

 

In 2012 a new committee was formed to help enhance the parade for more community interest and sponsorship to help defray cost, a new web site, needless to say the parade is bigger than ever, and looking to become the best each and every year.

 

Joe Arduino