Best Decorated House, Business Contest Held With Del Ray Halloween Parade

ALEXANDRIA, VA — If you think you have the best Halloween display at your Del Ray home, it's worth submitting a nomination for the Best Decorated House Contest.

As part of the 26th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, the Best Decorated House Contest returns as one of the Halloween festivities. Residents can submit their home or a neighbor's home for the contest with the address, photo and contact information. Residents should also indicate if the display is best viewed during the day or at night. Nominations are due by 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23.

Once the deadline has passed, a map of nominated houses will be released the week before the parade. Residents will be encouraged to visit the top houses to get in the spirit of Halloween.

The contest is sponsored by the Jen Walker Team. A Best Decorated Business Contest will also be held.

The Del Ray Halloween Parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30. This Halloween tradition invites costumed children, pets and parents to march down Mount Vernon Avenue from E. Bellefonte Avenue to the Mount Vernon Rec Center field.

Parade participants may register for the Pet Costume Contest and Stroller Competition by 1:30 p.m. on parade day at Mount Vernon and E. Howell Avenues. Strollers will be lined up to be judged before the parade, and pets will be judged immediately after the parade. Pet categories include Creative, Team, How Could You Do This To Me?, and Vola Lawson Best of Show. Stroller categories include Creative, Humorous, Best Group or Family, Less is More, and Overall.

To volunteer for the parade, click here.

A Halloween-themed scavenger will also be held starting Saturday, Oct. 22. Four randomly selected winners will receive a $50 gift card to their favorite Del Ray business. Check back for more details on the scavenger hunt at a later time.

A Halloween costume collection for children in need is another tradition that will return. The Del Ray Business Association partners with nonprofits to ensure children get the costumes they want. An Amazon wish list will be released at a later time.