Red Bank To Host Halloween Parade Amid Pandemic

RED BANK, NJ - While 2020 has witnessed a slew of community festivities cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, one beloved Red Bank tradition will continue to see the light of day this year. The 73rd Annual Red Bank Halloween Parade will go ahead in 2020, Red Bank Borough Parks and Recreation Director Charlie Hoffmann confirmed to Patch, albeit with added COVID-19 precautions.

The parade is slated to begin at 2 p.m. on Oct. 25 between Irving Place and Arthur Place. The costumed march will continue through Broad Street before adjourning at Eastside lots.

Participants and attendees alike will be required to wear face masks at all times, Hoffmann said. Antique cars will be utilized to divide crowds into groups of 15 or less.

One major change to this year's lineup is the absence of contests, games or giveaways at White Street. Hoffman said that, due to the pandemic, those festivities just aren't possible.

“Normally we have a parade that ends in the White Street lot, and we have a whole bunch of stuff in the lot, like prizes, music and inflatables,” Hoffmann said. “All post-parade activities are cancelled. We’re literally just doing a parade.”

In place of the White Street event, the borough will be hosting outdoor Halloween-themed art classes for young residents, with spooky activities slated to include pumpkin painting and scarecrow making. Further details have yet to be announced.

“We just want to do something for the kids to have a little sense of normalcy and enjoy the day,” Hoffmann concluded.

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