Vienna Halloween Parade 2023: 5 Things To Know

VIENNA, VA — The Vienna Halloween Parade is a favorite town tradition, drawing plenty of participants and spectators to Maple Avenue the Wednesday before Halloween.

The 77th annual parade will happen at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25 along Maple Avenue from Branch Road to Center Street. The Halloween parade has been held since 1946, allowing floats to join and compete for awards. This year's parade theme is "Cartoons and Comics."

Here are five things to know before heading to the parade.

1. The parade causes temporary road closures

Residents and drivers can expect road closures before and during the parade. Maple Avenue will be closed around the parade route from about 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Other streets being used for the parade lineup and barricades will close at 4:45 p.m., including parts of Center Street, Locust Street, Cherry Street SE, Mill Street, Park Street NE, Dominion Street SE, Branch Road SE, and Berry Street SE.

See a map of road closures and detour routes here.

2. Parade entries are eligible for awards

Entries for parade floats and entertainments were due on Sept. 15. These parade entries are eligible for parade awards, including Youth Band, Float with Music, Float without Music, Youth Performers, Adult Performers, and Antique Vehicles. The parade reviewing stage is typically located at the Town Green between Center and Park Streets. Winners will be announced at an award ceremony at the Nov. 13 Town Council meeting at 8 p.m. A reception will be held for the winners at Town Hall at 7:30 p.m.

3. Costumed participants don't need to register

While floats and other entertainment entries had to register for the parade, costumed children marching in the parade do not need to register. Parade walkers should meet at 6 p.m. at the United Bank, 374 Maple Ave. E.

4. Candy cannot be thrown out during the parade.

Candy is not allowed to be handed out during the parade. However, the town will be providing 1,000 Halloween goody bags at the end of the parade route near Vienna Elementary School.

5. Coach "Pudge" will be the parade grand marshal

Coach Mark "Pudge" Gjormand, a beloved Vienna coach who is the winningest baseball coach in Northern Virginia, will lead the parade as grand marshal. Coach Pudge, who grew up in Vienna, has a 37-year coaching career, including at Marshall High School and Madison High School. He has been the varsity baseball coach at Madison for 28 seasons and previously coached football for seven seasons. He has led Madison to over 40 championships, including three state titles and eight times nationally ranked in the top 25 of all high school baseball teams in the country. Coach Pudge also gives back to the community, running MVP Sports Camps for 20 years to teach youth baseball and other sports through local high school coaches and players. He has also helped over 100 former players in continuing to play baseball in college or at the professional level.