Del Ray Halloween Parade: Parade Route, Contests, More

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Last year's Del Ray Halloween Parade drew more than 7,500 people to the neighborhood, and it wouldn't be surprising if it got even more participants this time. The 21st annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, a popular tradition in the area, is set for Sunday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.

The parade is an opportunity for families (and their pets) to show off their spookiest costumes. Children, pets, and strollers in costumes are invited to march in the parade.

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. Children, pets, and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb.

At the fields, kids can receive goodie bags, including healthy options. Refreshments such as hot dogs donated by 7-Eleven, apple cider, and cookies are available. There will live musical entertainment provided by Mars Rodeo, as well as Goblin Games and activities for the children.

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Following the parade is a ceremony with parade awards for a number of categories:

• Best Pet Costume
• Best Decorated Business
• Best Decorated Home
• Best Decorated Stroller

There's still time to enter for Best Decorated Home and Best Decorated Business. The deadline is Sunday, October 22, at noon, and entries can be sent by emailing the street addresses to delrayhalloweenparade@yahoo.com. Entries should indicate if it should be judged during the day or night.

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 Mt. 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.

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.

All parade activities are free. See more information from Del Ray Business Association.

After the parade, submit your photos to emily.leayman@patch.com.

Image via Del Ray Business Association