Biggest UWS Halloween Block Party Canceled For 2nd Straight Year

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The popular 69th Street Halloween Block Party won't take place in 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns, organizers of the spooky event recently announced.

Starting in 1971, the Halloween party took place on 69th Street between Columbus and Central Park West for nearly 50 straight years before it was canceled due to the pandemic in 2020, and again this year.

The brownstones between the two Upper West Side avenues transform into Halloween-themed estates, drawing thousands of New Yorkers from across the city.

Here's the complete statement on the 2021 cancellation from Eileen Vazquest, the president of the 69th Street Block Association:

“While W. 69th Street is known for our fantastic Halloween party we are also known for being a caring community-we care on a city-wide level and a local level,” wrote Vazquez, in an update to neighbors. “With this in mind, the steering committee for W. 69th Street Block has discussed what should be done this year and it was overwhelmingly agreed that the risk is too high given the amount of people who come to the block and the incredibly close proximity of everyone. Additionally, we don’t have the manpower to ask people for proof of vaccines, to offers masks, etc. This means that this year the block association will not apply for the permit to close the street, nor will we buy candy for distribution. This was a very tough decision to make given the history and popularity of the event but it is not a risk that should be taken.”

The cancellation of the official event doesn't mean that the brownstones on 69th Street won't still do their best to cover themselves in Halloween decorations.