2016 Del Ray Halloween Parade Sunday, Oct. 30

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade will be held Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. The Parade and all activities are free. Following the parade, at a brief ceremony, awards are given for Best Pet Costume, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Home, and Best Decorated Stroller. There is no fee to compete for Best Costume or Best Decorated contests. Judges include elected officials and city dignitaries.

The deadline for nominations for Best Decorated House and Best Decorated Business is Oct. 23 at noon.

Last year’s parade had more than 7,500 participants, which included more than 2,500 children, special dignitaries and elected officials, more than 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 Center play 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 Categories

• Creative
• Team
• How Could You Do This to Me
• Vola Lawson Best of Show

Stroller Competition Categories

• Creative
• Humorous
• Best Group or Family
• Less is More
• Overall

Spooky Bean Halloween Haunted Graveyard. After the parade from 5–8 p.m. families can enjoy the Spooky Bean Haunted Halloween Circus, constructed by Bean Creative. This is a free event and appropriate for all ages. The Graveyard is located at the grassy lot next to their business at Mt. Vernon and E. Del Ray Avenue. This is definitely a must-do Del Ray tradition. Donations are happily accepted at the gate to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event is sponsored by Jen Walker.

Sponsorship. The Del Ray Business Association sponsors the parade with additional support and financial contributions from local businesses. Jen Walker is the primary sponsor and sponsor of Best Decorated House. Other sponsors are Bobi Bomar, sponsor of Best Decorated Stroller and Paul Haire of Your Dog’s Best Friend sponsor of the Best Pet Costume.

Volunteers. Volunteers are needed on the day before the parade and on Parade Day. To participate, please contact Gayle Reuter (703) 216-8597 or gayle.reuter@gmail.com.

Saturday Volunteers

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

Parade Day Volunteers

• Inflate and distribute balloons
• 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, pop balloons, etc.)

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. Several area businesses have donation bins from October to the day before the Parade. Drop off new or gently used costumes.

Costumes are distributed on 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 2015, more than 200 costumes were donated.

How to Participate as a Del Ray Business
In order for this annual tradition to happen, we need the support of our businesses. There are numerous ways to be able to participate and contribute to this fun event and to bring recognition to your company or business.
1. Decorate your business and be nominated for Best Decorated Business, which is judged by elected officials. Businesses must be decorated by Oct. 23 to be judged. To nominate a business email delrayhalloweenparade@yahoo.com. The deadline for nominations for Best Decorated House and Best Decorated Business is Oct. 23 at noon.

2. Be a Sponsor

• Sponsor the Stage. Maximum 6 sponsors. $1,000. Your Company Banner will be placed on the stage and you will be listed on the Sponsor Board. 2 sponsorships available.
• Sponsor the Stroller, Pet, or House Competition. $500. Your banner/sign hung at both the registration area at the start of the parade and at the judging area at Mt. Vernon Fields. You will be listed on the Sponsor Board. House Sponsor gets name on signage that is put in front of nominated homes. Sold Out.
• Sponsor the 2,000 Halloween Goodie Bags. Maximum 13 sponsors. $300. Your business name (up to 34 characters and no logos) on the Goodie Bags that are distributed at the parade. Deadline is Oct. 7.
• Hang Your Banner on the Fence on the Fields. $250. participants>
• Donate Candy, Treats, and Giveaways for the 2,000 Goodie Bags. $100.
• Donate $100 worth of items or cash and your company name will be listed on Sponsor Board that is displayed next to the goodie bag distribution. Giveaways could include magnets, Halloween stickers, Halloween rings, etc.

To participate, please contact Gayle Reuter (703) 216-8597 or gayle.reuter@gmail.com.