Halloween parades are a great way to let your children show off their costumes in a safe, supervised environment. Often sponsored by local fire departments or chambers of commerce, they tend to include a celebratory gathering at the end of the route.

Here is a sampling of community parades throughout the State. If the parade in your town is not listed below, please let us know about it, so we can include it next year’s list of local “spooktacular” events! **Look for daily updates on the New York Travel Forum page http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/557485/Halloween_Parades_in_New_York_#Post557485

New York City

New York City Halloween Parade will be held on Saturday, October 31 from 7-10 pm. Anyone in costume may join the parade. Spectators can watch the procession that will run on 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 21st Street.

Jackson Heights’ 20th Annual Children’s Halloween Parade will be held at noon on Saturday, October 31. Spectators may watch along the route on 37th Street between 76th and 89th Streets.

Park Slope’s Children’s Halloween Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. Children in costume may join the back of the parade behind the puppets and musicians. The route begins at 7th Avenue and 14th Street and progresses to The Old Stone House on 3rd St.

Dutchess County
New Paltz - the Halloween Parade begins at 6 p.m. Line up on Main Street and Manheim Boulevard and proceed to the Fire House for treats.

Rockland County
Nyack’s Halloween Parade will begin on Saturday, October 31 at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street and Broadway. Line up at Memorial Park at 4 p.m. Entertainment to follow at the bandstand. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Nyacks (845-353-2221).

Tuxedo Park’s Halloween Parade will be on Tuesday, October 27, beginning at 9:30 at the Tuxedo Park Library on Route 17. Children are invited to come in costume and stroll through the library. Please register in advance (845- 351-2207). Treats will be available.

Sullivan County

Callicoon’s Halloween Parade for children on Saturday, October 31 will proceed down Main Street to the Delaware Community Center. Line up is at 12:45 p.m. behind the Delaware Free Library. Parade begins at 1 p.m.

Jeffersonville- the HALLOWEEN PARADE & PARTY on Saturday, October 31. Line up will begin at 6pm on Center Street in downtown Jeffersonville and proceed to the firehouse for costume judging and refreshments.

Westchester County
Katonah’s Annual Halloween Parade will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2009. Everyone is invited to line up behind the Katonah Firehouse (65 Bedford Road) and join the parade as it proceeds through the hamlet and ends up back at the firehouse for cider and donuts.

Larchmont will host its annual Ragamuffin Parade on Saturday, October 24 (raindate 10/25), beginning at 12:30 p.m. Costumed marchers are welcome to line up at the intersection of Palmer Avenue and Larchmont Avenue and proceed to Village Hall.

Pleasantville’s Ragamuffin Parade will be held on Saturday, October 31, beginning at 11:30 a.m.. Marchers may line up at Bedford Road School where they will proceed to Memorial Plaza for the holiday festivities.

Pound Ridge’s 10th Annual Halloween Walk , Saturday, October 31, from 4-6 p.m., is sponsored by the Pound Ridge Business Association. Local businesses welcome costumed children to trick or treat, show off their disguises and make their way through Scotts Corner business district. The Pound Ridge Volunteer Fire Department will host a festive party, complete with haunted house, back at the Firehouse (80 Westchester Avenue) after the parade.

Somers - 14th Annual Halloween Parade sponsored by the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester will be held on Sunday Oct 25. Children in costume may join the parade at 1:45 pm in front of the Somers Post Office in the Somerstown Shopping Center (Route 202) where they will proceed to Bailey Park.
Scarsdale is hosting a Halloween Costume Parade for young children (pre-K through 2nd grade) on Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m. Line up begins at 2:45 in front of Chase Park (30-32 Chase Road).

Upstate
Hamilton, NY’s annual Children’s Halloween Party and Parade will be held at the Colgate Bookstore (3 Utica Street) on Friday, October 30, at 3 p.m. Those in costume will parade through the store starting at 4 p.m. Entertainment and refreshments will be available.

Seneca Falls business merchants are sponsoring trick or treating from 2-3 p.m. followed by a Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 31 at 3 p.m. Those Seneca Falls residents in costume are invited to trick or treat downtown from 2-3 p.m. and then proceed to the Community Center (Walnut Street) for holiday activities, including a canned food drive. Event is free, but please bring a canned food donation.

Clifton Park is sponsoring a Halloween parade on Saturday, October 31, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Line up will be at Clifton Common and will proceed up Vischer Ferry and will continue on the new Vischer Ferry Road multi-use trail, ending back at the Clifton Common. Costumed children are welcome to march in the parade and enjoy free hotdogs and drinks afterward.

Greenwich, NY’s Halloween Parade, sponsored by the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Sunday, October 25, beginning at 1 p.m. Line up at 10 Main Street and proceed to 184 Main Street.

Indian Lake’s Halloween Parade and Party will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. Those in costume are invited to parade down Main Street to the Fire House for a holiday party.

New Hartford’s annual Halloween Parade will be sponsored by the New Hartford Fire Department. The procession will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 31 at the Fire House (4 Oxford Road). Cider and refreshments served.

Old Forge’s Halloween Parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 31 at the Old Forge Fire House (Fulton Street). The parade and the party that follows are sponsored by the Old Forge Fire Department.

Pittsford’s Halloween Parade will be part of its Halloween Fest, which will also include games, crafts, refreshments, and entertainment on Sunday, October 25 from 2-5 p.m. at the St. John Fisher Field House (East Avenue). Please bring a canned good to donate to the Pittsford Food Cupboard.