NEW YORK — Despite the chill in the air, thousands of people took part in the 50th Annual Village Halloween Parade on Tuesday night.
Blowing their bone-chilling horns, the skeleton band kicked the parade into high gear.
Sixth Avenue in Manhattan came alive with revelers transforming into a kaleidoscope of characters from Slenderman to Mario to a nun from the movie “The Nun” to classic fairytale characters.
The 2023 parade theme is “Upside/Down:Inside/OUT.”
“The idea is that we’ve all come out of this pandemic that was very difficult, and this is sort of our spiritual awakening, and we’re going to be righted by the parade and by this creative burst of energy,” event organizerBradford Gonzalez Sussman said.
It’s been half a century of spooktacular creativity, an enduring tradition New Yorkers and people from around the world prepare for all year.
“All 364 days that passed, I wait and plan,” one costumed paradegoer said.
The NYPD also comes highly prepared.
“We’ll have aviation up top. There’s some things you won’t [see]. Our intel division will be very active tonight,” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said.
“We’re gonna keep the place safe, we’re gonna march and have a good time,” one NYPD officer said.
Earlier in the day, the 33rd Annual Children’s Halloween Parade kicked off in Greenwich Village as they marched through Washington Square Park. There were rides, live entertainment and, of course, lots and lots of candy.
“We live in the neighborhood, so it’s a great experience. Now he’s old enough to actually enjoy it, so first time could get him here and get him dressed up and just enjoy the festivities,” one parent said.
“Parade is so much fun. I love the costumes. I love everything about the parade,” one person said.
Police say the parade went off with no major incidents.
Organizers estimate Sixth Avenue saw a crowd of 2 million people.