With fall right around the corner and no sign that a vaccine will be ready (let alone distributed across the country), it seems inevitable that most autumn-in-New York traditions will be cancelled, just as they were in spring and summer. And one of the first major cancellations is the annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.
Long time parade director Jeanne Fleming confirmed the news to the NY Post today, revealing what would have been the theme to the 47th iteration of the parade. “Billy Porter was going to be the grand marshal, and the theme was going to be ‘Big Love,'” Fleming said. “It was going to be a big embrace and a pushing out of love right before the election.”
The afterparty, which would have taken place at Webster Hall, has also been cancelled.
Fleming lamented that this year's event would have taken place on a Saturday night coinciding with a blue moon. "Usually on a Saturday night there will be 80,000 people marching. It happens every seven years on a Saturday night," she said. “So it’s a devastating blow to the energy of the people. It’s not political in any way — it’s about the creativity of New Yorkers.”
However, she implied that parade organizers are still planning some sort of surprise event that night, but one intended not to draw a crowd. “It’s going to be COVID safe, and big, but not gathering a crowd,” she said. “I know how much the city needs the parade right now. Also, it’s trick or treat, right? So we’re going to do a trick.”
You can see photos from last year's edition of the beloved tradition, whose theme was "wild things." You can also see photos of New Yorkers wearing costumes on the subway on Halloween last year here, our personal favorite tradition.
And below, take a few minutes to listen to Lou Reed's poignant tribute to the parade.
