Nyack Chamber Hosts Biggest Halloween Bash Outside New York City
On Saturday, October 26
26th Annual Halloween Parade Promises Dancing Ghouls, Five Marching Bands
Roller Derby, Wild Costumes, Crazy Floats, Motorcycles and Classic Cars, Live Entertainment
Over $2,000 in Cash Prizes
Amazing Grace CIRCUS! with the Festival of Ghouls (photo (c) Deborah Grosmark)
The Nyack Chamber of Commerce will host its 26th annual Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm (rain date Sunday,October 27) in the heart of Nyack. Festivities begin at 3:00 pm with live music in the municipal parking lot on Main Street.
The event, organized by the Chamber and sponsored by leading local merchants, is the largest parade of its kind outside New York City. Building on a history of record-breaking crowds, over 20,000 spectators are expected to line the streets of Main and Broadway in Nyack for this fun-filled, family-friendly event.
Parade-goers will experience a reprise of Therese Shorn’s “Festival of Ghouls” — 15-foot tall puppets worked by Nyack’s own Amazing Grace CIRCUS! performers — plus unicyclists, jugglers and other Circus! talent.
Five of Rockland County’s top marching bands will set the beat, including the Nyack High School marching band, Nanuet High School drum line, East Ramapo marching band, Clarkstown South High School marching band and the Clarkstown North High School marching band and dance team.
Additional parade highlights include the Suburban Roller Derby of Westchester, the Rockland Boulders, H.O.G.S., Shriners, Hudson Vagabond Puppets and local fire departments showing off their best equipment.
Live music returns this year to the municipal parking lot on Main Street and Artopee Way from 3:00 to 5:00pm provided by Anjel Blue Rehearsal Studios and Nyack Music School. Featured performers include Danielle Sheri and the Pipeliners. The evening continues post-parade with a gala awards ceremony and music with Frankie D and The Boys.
Oak Beverages and Guinness are giving generous support for the parade as lead sponsors. Nyack’s own Casa del Sol restaurant and Back to Earth are sponsoring the float and costume prizes. Casa del Sol also hosts a lively parade after-party later in the evening.
Marchers and floats will assemble at 4:00pm in Memorial Park at the corner of Depew and Piermont Streets in downtown Nyack. All are welcome to march and to register for prizes. Registration is required to be eligible for prizes.
The winner of this year’s Best Float competition will take home a $750 cash prize. Prizes for costumes will be awarded in seven categories with prizes ranging from $25 to $200.
Returning this year to lead the parade will be the Hon. Harriet Cornell as Parade Grand Marshall, along with Nyack’s Mayor Jen Laird-White, Village Trustees, and other local officials and celebrities. The Trustees, along with former County Legislator Connie Coker, will preside over the costume and float contests.
Nyack’s Main Street will be closed from 4:00 to 8:00pm for the parade activities. The much-anticipated prize awards ceremony will begin immediately after the parade. Live music and dancing will continue in the Main Street parking lot after the awards.
Also immediately following the parade, Halloween revelers can go to the Nyack Center’s seventh annual “Monster Mash” party featuring live music, dancing, dinner buffet – and lots of spooky family fun. The party goes from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. The Center is located at Depew and South Broadway in Nyack. More information is available at www.nyackcenter.org.
Details on participating in and viewing the parade are listed on the Chamber of Commerce’s website: www.nyackchamber.org. To register your float, join as a marcher, or to contribute as a sponsor, go to the website or call the Chamber office at 845-353-2221.
View a slideshow of the 2012 Halloween Parade, (all photos (c) Deborah Grosmark)…
