What began as a small children’s costume parade more than two decades ago has grown into one of the area’s biggest Halloween celebrations, drawing as many as 20,000 people to Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.
The Tarrytown Halloween Parade and Block Party returns Oct. 24 with marching bands, floats, costumes, prizes and new attractions. The parade will step off from Patriots Park at 5 p.m. sharp, travel down Route 9, or Broadway, to Main Street and continue to Windle Park. But as the celebration continues to grow, organizers and local officials are also preparing for the crowds and traffic that come with its popularity.
JoAnne Murray, who co-chairs the parade, became involved in 2012 when she was asked to help raise money for marching bands. At the time, she said the parade had declined in size and organizers were looking to give it new life.
“We reached out for sponsors for the parade and found many businesses were willing to support the parade,” Murray said. “This enabled us to hire more marching bands.”
While attendance continued to increase, Murray said 2021 marked a turning point. After the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were eager for a community celebration. Mayor Karen Brown challenged organizers to “make this the best parade ever,” according to Murray.
Promotion on social media also helped the event reach a larger audience. Jessie Mignone, creator of What’s in Westchester, began promoting the parade and later joined its committee. Veronica Black also promotes the celebration on Instagram. Last year’s event received coverage from several New York television stations.
“The parade took off from there and there was no putting the genie back in the bottle,” Murray said.
Murray believes its appeal comes partly from its ability to unite neighboring communities.
“It brings the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow communities together around a tradition that celebrates their shared history, creativity and local identity,” she said.
This year’s parade will include two new $250 prizes honoring America’s 250th birthday, awarded to the best float or group representing the anniversary. Tesla will participate in both the parade and block party with a Paint-A-Cybertruck activity, while Sam’s Club will participate with giveaways. Other sponsors include DeCicco & Sons, Phelps Northwell, Kendal on Hudson and Coco Management Inc.
The Sleepy Hollow High School Food Pantry will serve as this year’s grand marshal.
Once the parade reaches Windle Park, the celebration will transition directly into the block party. The parade typically concludes between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m., depending on the number of registered groups and floats.
Organizers coordinate the end of the procession with the beginning of the block party so attendees can follow the parade down Main Street and continue the evening’s festivities. This year’s entertainment will include live music from The Incumbents and DJ Chris Vernia of Double Image.
Restaurants will be open along the street, while the Washington Street parking lot will feature the DJ, a beer truck, food trucks and vendors. Sam’s Club will also have its new setup at the celebration.
Behind the festivities is months of preparation to accommodate the increasingly large crowds.
Police begin meeting as early as February to plan for the event, Murray said. Organizers also work with neighboring villages as part of their effort to reduce the number of people driving directly into Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.
For anyone planning to attend from outside the immediate area, Murray’s advice is simple: “Take the Train.”
“Driving to Tarrytown presents challenges,” Murray said. “Parking will be difficult.”
Visitors are encouraged to park in a neighboring Rivertown and take Metro-North into Tarrytown. Murray noted that a train trip from Dobbs Ferry to Tarrytown costs $5 and can save visitors the difficulty of finding parking near the festivities. Organizers also encourage neighboring communities to hold events and restaurant specials that afternoon to benefit from visitors using their train stations.
Managing the parade itself presents another logistical challenge. Co-chair Dan Walczewski, superintendent of the Tarrytown Recreation Department, oversees the setup at Patriots Park, determining where bands, floats, groups and other participants are positioned so the procession can move smoothly.
According to Murray, watching the setup has become an attraction of its own, drawing enough spectators that organizers now rope off the park while preparations are underway.
Despite the challenges that come with the parade’s growth, Murray hopes it continues to provide a place where residents and visitors can celebrate together.
“I hope the Halloween Parade brings the community together through fun, creativity and shared celebration,” she said. “It can give neighbors of all ages a chance to connect, support local groups and businesses, and create lasting memories in a safe, welcoming atmosphere.”
