Del Ray Halloween Parade: 5 Last Minute Things To Know

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Halloween may have come and gone, but ghosts and goblins can still come out to play for another weekend in Del Ray.

Weather conditions had pushed the Del Ray Halloween Parade forward one weekend to Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. With the help of city officials, the parade had been rescheduled with all of the activities. This year, the parade's Grand Marshall will be Skye Witmer, an outstanding student from Jefferson Houston Elementary School

The parade is a beloved tradition for the neighborhood where children, pets, and strollers in costumes march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb. Residents also compete for the titles of Best Decorated House, Best Decorated Stroller, Best Pet Costume and Best Decorated Business. Last year's parade drew more than 7,500 people to the neighborhood, and it could see around the same attendance this weekend.

Here are some things to know before you go:

1. The parade route

The parade begins at Mount Vernon Avenue, south of East Bellefonte Avenue, and continues down to the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center play fields at Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues.

2. The weather outlook

The show will go on this weekend as Sunday is expected to be cloudy with temperatures in the 60s and only a 20 percent chance of rain.

3. Registration for the contests

Registration for the Pet Costume Contest and Stroller Competition will be done prior to the parade start. Stroller and pet entries must register by 1:30 p.m. at the corner of Mount Vernon and East Howell Avenues. Once registered, strollers will line up on Howell to be judged prior to the parade. Pets will be judged immediately at the end of the parade route.

4. The afterparty: awards and refreshments galore

After the parade makes its way down to the Mount Vernon Rec fields, there will be free refreshments, entertainment, games for the kids and a short program to announce the winners of the prizes. This is expected to start around 3 p.m.

5. Spooky fun after the parade

Families can continue the fun after the parade at the Spooky Bean Haunted Halloween Graveyard, constructed by Bean Creative, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. It will be located in the grassy lot next to their business at Mount Vernon and East Del Ray Avenue. The event is sponsored by the Jen Walker team, and donations will be collected to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Image via Patch staff