23rd Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade

When
October 27, 2021
2:00 PM
Location
Mount Vernon Avenue, Del Ray

23RD ANNUAL DEL RAY HALLOWEEN PARADE

One of Del Ray’s favorite traditions, the 23rd Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, will be take place Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2pm. The Parade and all activities are free!

Following the parade awards are given for Best Pet Costume, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Home, and Best Decorated Stroller during a brief ceremony. There is no fee to compete for Best Costume or Best Decorated contests. Judges include elected officials and city dignitaries.

Last year’s parade had more than 7,500 participants, which included over to 2,500 children, special dignitaries and elected officials, over 50 pets in their finest Halloween costumes, and 25 decorated strollers.

The parade begins at Mt. Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mt. Vernon Recreation Centerplay fields at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. Children, pets, and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb.

At the fields, goodie bags for children are handed out (including healthy bags that do not have candy). Refreshments such as hot dogs donated by 7-Eleven, apple cider, and cookies are provided. There is live musical entertainment provided by Mars Rodeo. There will be Goblin Games and activities for the children.

Pet Costume Contest and Stroller Competition

Registration for the Pet Costume Contest and Stroller Competition will be done prior to the parade start. Stroller and pet entries must register by 1:30 p.m. at the corner of Mt. Vernon and E. Howell Avenues; look for signage. Once registered, strollers will line up on Howell to be judged prior to the parade. Pets will be judged immediately at the end of the parade route. There is no fee to register. For complete details and categories, visit www.visitdelray.com/halloween

Pet Costume Categories: Creative, Team, How Could You Do This To Me?, and Vola Lawson Best of Show

Stroller Competition Categories: Creative, Humorous, Best Group or Family, Less is More, and Overall

Best Decorated Home and Best Decorated Business Contest

The deadline for nominations to be submitted for Best Decorated House and Best Decorated Business is Sunday, October 20, at 12pm. To nominate a home or business, email the street addresses to delrayhalloweenparade@yahoo.com by October 20 at noon; please state if it should be judged during the day or night.

Donate a Costume! Help a Kid March in Halloween Parade

The Del Ray Business Association collects and distributes Halloween costumes for children who would otherwise go without. New or gently used costumes can be dropped off at the collection box located at the Del Ray Farmers' Market or on the porch at 110 E. Del Ray.

Costumes are distributed the day before the parade from 2-4 p.m. at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Especially needed are larger sizes. In 2018, we gave away over 200 costumes to needy kids!

Volunteers Needed!

We can’t have a parade without a lot of volunteers. Volunteers are needed on the day before the parade and on Parade Day. Click here for a complete list of volunteer needs, and to sign up to help make this Del Ray tradition happen.

Among the ways that you can help:

Saturday Volunteers

Pick up costumes from collection sites
Fill goody bags with candy and gifts
Help distribute costumes (Spanish speakers desired)

Parade Day Volunteers

Set up tables, grills, food, decorate field, etc.
Put up sponsor banners on fence and stage
Be a parade marshal
Distribute goody bags to children
Prepare and distribute refreshments
Register dogs and strollers participating in decorating contests
Help with clean up (take down tables, clean up field, empty trash, take down banners, etc.)

The Del Ray Citizens Association (DRCA) was formed in 1954 as a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization for Del Ray residents and business owners who live, do or own a business or deal with property in Alexandria, Virginia. PO Box 2233 Alexandria, VA 22301