Alexandria Weekend Roundup: Halloween Parade, Trick Or Treat, Early Voting

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Happy weekend, Alexandria! October is wrapping up, and the spooky festivities are aplenty ahead of Halloween.

This weekend, the main event is the Del Ray Halloween Parade, which USA Today named one of the 10 best in the country last year. This year's parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27 along Mount Vernon Avenue. The grand marshal is Duncan Library's Venetta Bueno, who is celebrating 40 years with Alexandria Library, including 25 years with Duncan Library. She has been an assistant in the children's department for 23 years, leading the popular baby and toddler story times.

As part of the parade, residents can enter the Pet Costume Contest and Stroller Decorating Contest before it starts. Strollers need to register at 1 p.m. at the corner of Mt. Vernon and E. Howell Avenues and will line up on Howell Avenue to be judged prior to the parade. Pet entries need to register at 1:30 p.m. at Mt. Vernon and E. Howell and will be judged immediately at the end of the parade route. There is no fee to register.

Along with watching the parade, residents can view and vote for Del Ray's Best Decorated House People's Choice Award through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Another activity in Del Ray is the Halloween on the Avenue Scavenger Hunt through Nov. 2. Residents can walk along Mount Vernon Avenue and find Halloween-themed items in Del Ray's decorated businesses and hand-painted windows for a chance to win one of five $50 gift cards to their favorite Del Ray business. Download the clues at visitdelray.com pick up a copy in the "witch" next to the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at Mount Vernon and Oxford Avenues.

If you have families with kids, check out the various trunk or treat events around Alexandria as well as Old Town Trick or Treat, Trick or Treating at Mount Vernon and even Doggie Trick or Treat for the furry friends. Don't miss the unofficial trick-or-treat day on the evening of Oct. 31, including the popular Lee Street Halloween.

Other seasonal events in town this weekend are Witchcraft in the Walls and Halloween Hunt at Carlyle House, Alexandria’s Original Ghost & Graveyard Tour, Ghost Ship Providence and Halloween Howl on Tall Ship Providence, Death at the City Tavern at Gadbsy's Tavern Museum, Lee-Fendall House's Screams & Disease, the Official Alexandria Halloween Bar Crawl, Spooky Town Books at Old Town Books and much more.

If you still need a pumpkin, the Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill's 31st annual Pumpkin Patch is open through Oct. 31. All proceeds go to local, national and international charities, including ALIVE, Carpenter's Shelter, Christ Church/West End Lazarus Ministry, Grace Church Food Pantry, Bishop Walker School, Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services and more.

This Saturday, Alexandria residents can get rid of their unwanted medications as part of the Drug Take Back Day. The Alexandria Police Department and Sheriff's Office will host drop-off locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Ave.); Fire Station 210 (5255 Eisenhower Ave.); The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.); Walgreens Pharmacy (3614 King St.); and Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (2729 King St.).

Prescription drugs, including those from veterinarians, and over-the-counter drugs will be accepted. Needles are not accepted. Permanent locations to drop off medications and needles are available throughout the year.

Last but not least, early voting is available if you choose to cast your ballot before Election Day.

Locations and times this weekend are:

Office of Voter Registration and Elections (132 N. Royal St., Suite 100)

• Saturday, October 26, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Sunday, October 27, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.

• Saturday, October 26, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Sunday, October 27, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave.

• Saturday, October 26, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Sunday, October 27, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Minnie Howard Campus of Alexandria City High School, 3775 W. Braddock Rd.

• Saturday, October 26, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Sunday, October 27, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

The last day to vote early is Nov. 2, while mail-in ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 or postmarked by Nov. 5. Check out our voter guide or the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections website for more election information.

Need even more ideas to keep you busy? Check out our Northern Virginia and DC weekend event roundup.