New York celebrates Halloween with 160 car-free streets, the Washington Heights parade and the 53rd Village Halloween Parade
New York — With community activities, costumes and candy giveaways, the city will celebrate Halloween this Saturday, October 31, while the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) and the American Red Cross urge families to take precautions to protect children.
As part of the celebration, the city program “Trick-or-Streets” offers free activities on 160 car-free streets and plazas across the five boroughs. The programming includes games, live entertainment, face painting and candy giveaways.
In Upper Manhattan, the Department of Transportation calendar includes the Washington Heights Halloween parade, scheduled for this Saturday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Cabrini Boulevard, between Margaret Corbin Plaza and West 190th Street, in the heart of the city's Dominican community.
The highlight of the night will be the 53rd edition of the Village Halloween Parade, taking place this Saturday from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. and heading north along Sixth Avenue, from Canal Street to West 15th Street, in Greenwich Village. Watching the parade is free; those who want to march must arrive in costume and enter around 6:30 p.m. at Canal Street and Sixth Avenue.
This year the parade is led by the Fire Horses, giant puppets created by Basil Twist and choreographed by Julie Atlas Muz, and features artist Joey Arias as Grand Marshal. As a preview, starting at 7:00 a.m. this Friday, October 30, the historic New Year's Eve ball in Times Square is lit up with a giant Halloween pumpkin design that will remain until 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, according to One Times Square.
Ahead of these celebrations, the ACS and the Red Cross recommend that young children be accompanied by a responsible adult and that families plan their trick-or-treating route in advance. They also advise wearing light-colored, fire-resistant costumes with reflective elements, carrying a flashlight, and making sure masks and accessories allow good visibility.
The agencies also urge walking on sidewalks, crossing at crosswalks and checking candy before eating it, discarding open-wrapped items, and having children receive candy at the door, without entering strangers' homes.
Photo: El Informador Dominicano
Source: El Informador Dominicano