New York City's Village Halloween Parade is set to kick off on Friday night with its 52nd annual event, themed "It's a Potluck," which highlights the importance of community and sharing. The parade will take place along Sixth Avenue from Canal Street to 15th Street, starting at 7 p.m., with food rescue organization City Harvest serving as the grand marshal.
The NYPD is gearing up for an increased crowd, anticipating more than last year's event, and has deployed a larger number of officers on-site. However, Chief of Patrol Phillip Rivera noted that despite the crowds, safety will be the top priority, citing the need to ensure everyone feels safe coming and going from the parade.
For those who want to avoid the crowds but still get a glimpse of the spooky fun, this year's parade will be televised and streamed live at 8 p.m. on NY1. Spectators can attend for free from the sidelines or march in costume, with tickets starting at $125 for "skip-the-line entry" that grants access to a secret backstage entrance and band lineup area.
The parade's official afterparty, the "Vampire Ball," will take place at House of Yes in Industry City, Brooklyn, with doors opening at 9 p.m. and closing at 5 a.m. The event is expected to draw in large crowds, with organizers warning that driving anywhere around the downtown area on Friday evening will be challenging due to street closures.
A $5,000 prize will be awarded to the person with the best costume, emphasizing the importance of community and inclusivity in celebrating Halloween. The parade's potluck theme was chosen to highlight the need for connection and sharing, particularly given concerns about social divisions and online echo-chambers amplifying negative voices.
As City Harvest collects over 86 million pounds of food this year, the organization serves as a symbol of the importance of community and giving back during Halloween. With the government shutdown looming, federal food benefit programs like SNAP could expire the day after Halloween, making the parade's theme even more relevant to the wider community.
The NYPD is gearing up for an increased crowd, anticipating more than last year's event, and has deployed a larger number of officers on-site. However, Chief of Patrol Phillip Rivera noted that despite the crowds, safety will be the top priority, citing the need to ensure everyone feels safe coming and going from the parade.
For those who want to avoid the crowds but still get a glimpse of the spooky fun, this year's parade will be televised and streamed live at 8 p.m. on NY1. Spectators can attend for free from the sidelines or march in costume, with tickets starting at $125 for "skip-the-line entry" that grants access to a secret backstage entrance and band lineup area.
The parade's official afterparty, the "Vampire Ball," will take place at House of Yes in Industry City, Brooklyn, with doors opening at 9 p.m. and closing at 5 a.m. The event is expected to draw in large crowds, with organizers warning that driving anywhere around the downtown area on Friday evening will be challenging due to street closures.
A $5,000 prize will be awarded to the person with the best costume, emphasizing the importance of community and inclusivity in celebrating Halloween. The parade's potluck theme was chosen to highlight the need for connection and sharing, particularly given concerns about social divisions and online echo-chambers amplifying negative voices.
As City Harvest collects over 86 million pounds of food this year, the organization serves as a symbol of the importance of community and giving back during Halloween. With the government shutdown looming, federal food benefit programs like SNAP could expire the day after Halloween, making the parade's theme even more relevant to the wider community.
I'm stoked they're doing this again, it's such a vibe! The potluck theme is genius, I love how it brings people together and celebrates sharing. It's so fitting for the times we're living in, with all the talk of social divisions and online echo-chambers... it's like, yeah, let's come together over some spooky fun and food 
! The parade itself is gonna be lit, I'm planning on checking it out from the sidelines, might even get a costume 
. And that $5k prize for the best costume? Win-win! 
Can't wait to see all the creative costumes and have some fun in the city 
I mean, it's cool that they're makin' a big deal about community and sharing, but is it really necessary? Can't we just have a chill night out without all the fuss? 
I mean, I know it's supposed to be fun and all, but what about safety? Can't we just stick to a smaller gathering or somethin'? 
All this chaos and commotion, just 'cause people wanna dress up in costumes and party. I dunno, maybe I'm just an old grump, but can't we just keep things simple for once? 
. also, $125 for skip-the-line entry? yeah right... i mean, if you wanna come to the parade in style, but what about those who just wanna have fun without breaking the bank? 
gotta be mindful of price tags too
I mean $5k prize for best costume? Yes please! 
like what if someone wins and has no money lol 
! IT'S LIKE ONE BIG POTLUCK PARTY WHERE EVERYONE COMES TOGETHER AND SHOWS OFF THEIR CREATIVITY 
! I LOVE HOW THEY'RE HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY AND SHARING, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE STUFF GOING ON IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW 
. IT'S LIKE A REMINDER THAT WE'RE NOT ALONE AND THAT WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER 
. It just goes to show how important it is for events like Halloween to bring people together and promote a sense of community...
. AND I LOVE HOW THEY'RE HIGHLIGHTING THE WORKS OF CITY HARVEST, ESPECIALLY WITH THEIR FEDERAL FOOD BENEFIT PROGRAMS THAT COULD BE AFFECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. IT JUST TAKES THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL!
Plus, having it on TV and stream means more ppl can join in without having to deal with the chaos 
and can we talk about how awesome it is that City Harvest is leading the charge on food rescue? they're literally saving lives one potluck at a time! 
$5k prize is pretty sweet too. love how city harvest is being grand marshaled it's amazing what food rescue orgs do. feels kinda relevant with the gov shutdown looming and all... let's come together instead of tearing each other apart