Video: Del Ray Halloween Parade Held Sunday

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Costumed families returned to Mount Vernon Avenue for the 2021 Del Ray Halloween Parade Sunday.

The 25th annual in-person parade was held after all festivities were held virtually in 2020. Spectators were also asked to register for free and wear a mask for COVID-19 reasons.

Del Ray Patch was there to capture a video of the entire parade. Watch the video below and see if you can spot yourselves, kids or dogs.

Some elements of the parade are being held remotely. Best Decorated House nominations were due on Sunday, Oct. 17, and voting was open through Sunday, Oct. 24. Stay tuned for results.

Best Decorated Stroller/Group Contest nominations can be submitted online until 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31. This contest is sponsored by the Homes of Alexandria Team of Compass.

Nominations for Best Pet Costume can be submitted online by 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31. The contest is sponsored by The Dog Store and Your Dog's Best Friends.

A Halloween scavenger hunt for families to enjoy started on Oct. 22. Participants can search for Halloween-themed items on Del Ray murals and decorated businesses. Download your scavenger hunt here, or pick up a copy from the witch at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at Mount Vernon and Oxford Avenues. Submit an entry for a chance to win one of four $50 gift cards to your favorite Del Ray business. The activity is sponsored by Kinneman Insurance.

The last part of the Halloween festivities was a costume donation drive. Rather than collect costumes at drop boxes, the Del Ray Business Association sent out an Amazon wish list for specific costumes requested by Community Lodgings and the Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Boys & Girls. All requests have been filled.

The Del Ray Business Association hopes to bring back its costume shop for children in need back in 2022. New or gently used costumes may be dropped off Pat Miller Neighborhood Square starting on Nov. 1.