YMCA Halloween Parade returns this year
A float participating in a prior YMCA Halloween Parade. The parade will be back on October 30, as part of a full day of seasonal events, including Saturday in the Park, the first Norwitch Fall Festival, and Trunk or Treat. (Submitted photo)
NORWICH — The long-running Norwich Family YMCA Halloween Parade will return in person this year in conjunction with the first ever Norwitch Fall Festival, and the last Saturday in the Park with Chobani event of the season, on October 30.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m., with participants lined up on several side streets off of South Broad Street, including Beebe Avenue, Francis Avenue, Hickock Avenue, Conkey Avenue, and Front Street.
Norwich Family YMCA Executive Director and CEO Jamey Mullen said the parade has always served as a fun community event that allows children and adults alike to show their creative side.
"I think the one thing that has remained constant with the parade, it's a community event that just brings people and families together and allows the creativity. It allows fun and laughter, and let's say some scares, also," he said.
"Norwich has held true with Halloween and ... the fall season with different events. So as you can tell on the 30th, the Saturday in the Park, kind of the resurrection of the Pumpkin Festival, to an afternoon or day of events and activities, and the Y Parade is in the middle," Mullen added. "The one thing that's common with all three of those events: the fall season, family, fun, you know, just bringing people together and, I guess that's what Norwich does well throughout the year."
After the parade concludes, participants are invited to gather in East Park for an opportunity to win door prizes, as well as hear the winners of the multiple costume and float categories, according to Mullen.
"After the parade is over, and our judges judge everyone as they go through, they all come back to the park. And as they come back to the park we'll have the awards ceremony where we'll recognize different families and their category, the school and their category, recognize the business category as well. So we've got a couple different categories that we're recognizing their creativeness," said Mullen.
The categories for costume include funniest costume, most original, spookiest costume, cutest costume, and the judges’ award. Categories for floats include the non-school float award, the family costume/float award, the school float/participation award, and the business float award.
"We have what we call the family float/costume award. So that one's just basically designed for families. If they wanted to do a float they could, or they could have a themed family costume presentation that they're going to do," said YMCA Sports Director and Parade Marshal Tom Revoir.
"This year we changed that school float award so it is going to be a school float/participation," he continued. "Some of these schools may not be able to do the floats, but they could certainly like to walk in the parade. We're looking for most participation from the schools."
Mullen added that those who would like to participate in the costume contest should write a number of their choice on an 8.5 by 11 piece of paper to pin to their costume. This will allow judges to identify contestants and ensure the right people receive their prizes.
"Pin it on your costume so, as the judges are going to watch everybody come through, they can try to describe the witch. Now how many witches could there be? 20, 30, 40? But, if the witch has a number on her outfit, or his outfit, that says 66A, we can say witch 66A," said Mullen.
The deadline for float applications is Monday, October 25. Those wishing to participate can find the application on the Norwich Family YMCA Facebook page, or pick up a hard copy at the YMCA.
Additionally, residents who would like to participate but are not affiliated with a school, business, or organization can still do so. Mullen said Front Street will be designated for individuals and families.
"The one side street which is across from NBT Bank, that is Front Street. We've always designated Front Street as kind of the last street that comes on to the parade route," Mullen explained. "All the families and individuals that didn't sign up or who wants to march up the street part of the parade [can] do so."
"That child or that family member could have a number on their costume and they could be judged just like everybody else then, too," he added.
Mullen encourages residents to come down and participate. In addition to the parade and awards ceremony, he said attendees will also have the chance to win door prizes.
"Tom Revoir, who kind of marshals the parade for us, he also solicits donations from the local businesses and families and foundations, and he generates some funds which he uses, he goes out and purchases door prizes," Mullen explained. "As the kids come up waiting for the awards ceremony to come, we'll hand out tickets. And these tickets are raffle tickets which get put into the bucket, which could qualify for these door prizes."
Overall, the YMCA Halloween Parade is shaping up to be a fun and spooky addition to the multitude of events on October 30.
"The parade basically is just the opportunity for businesses, schools, families, just to have some fun," said Mullen. "A little camaraderie, socialization, going around the theme of Halloween where you get your creative on."
The parade will begin at 11 a.m., with participants lined up on several side streets off of South Broad Street, including Beebe Avenue, Francis Avenue, Hickock Avenue, Conkey Avenue, and Front Street.
Norwich Family YMCA Executive Director and CEO Jamey Mullen said the parade has always served as a fun community event that allows children and adults alike to show their creative side.
"I think the one thing that has remained constant with the parade, it's a community event that just brings people and families together and allows the creativity. It allows fun and laughter, and let's say some scares, also," he said.
"Norwich has held true with Halloween and ... the fall season with different events. So as you can tell on the 30th, the Saturday in the Park, kind of the resurrection of the Pumpkin Festival, to an afternoon or day of events and activities, and the Y Parade is in the middle," Mullen added. "The one thing that's common with all three of those events: the fall season, family, fun, you know, just bringing people together and, I guess that's what Norwich does well throughout the year."
After the parade concludes, participants are invited to gather in East Park for an opportunity to win door prizes, as well as hear the winners of the multiple costume and float categories, according to Mullen.
"After the parade is over, and our judges judge everyone as they go through, they all come back to the park. And as they come back to the park we'll have the awards ceremony where we'll recognize different families and their category, the school and their category, recognize the business category as well. So we've got a couple different categories that we're recognizing their creativeness," said Mullen.
The categories for costume include funniest costume, most original, spookiest costume, cutest costume, and the judges’ award. Categories for floats include the non-school float award, the family costume/float award, the school float/participation award, and the business float award.
"We have what we call the family float/costume award. So that one's just basically designed for families. If they wanted to do a float they could, or they could have a themed family costume presentation that they're going to do," said YMCA Sports Director and Parade Marshal Tom Revoir.
"This year we changed that school float award so it is going to be a school float/participation," he continued. "Some of these schools may not be able to do the floats, but they could certainly like to walk in the parade. We're looking for most participation from the schools."
Mullen added that those who would like to participate in the costume contest should write a number of their choice on an 8.5 by 11 piece of paper to pin to their costume. This will allow judges to identify contestants and ensure the right people receive their prizes.
"Pin it on your costume so, as the judges are going to watch everybody come through, they can try to describe the witch. Now how many witches could there be? 20, 30, 40? But, if the witch has a number on her outfit, or his outfit, that says 66A, we can say witch 66A," said Mullen.
The deadline for float applications is Monday, October 25. Those wishing to participate can find the application on the Norwich Family YMCA Facebook page, or pick up a hard copy at the YMCA.
Additionally, residents who would like to participate but are not affiliated with a school, business, or organization can still do so. Mullen said Front Street will be designated for individuals and families.
"The one side street which is across from NBT Bank, that is Front Street. We've always designated Front Street as kind of the last street that comes on to the parade route," Mullen explained. "All the families and individuals that didn't sign up or who wants to march up the street part of the parade [can] do so."
"That child or that family member could have a number on their costume and they could be judged just like everybody else then, too," he added.
Mullen encourages residents to come down and participate. In addition to the parade and awards ceremony, he said attendees will also have the chance to win door prizes.
"Tom Revoir, who kind of marshals the parade for us, he also solicits donations from the local businesses and families and foundations, and he generates some funds which he uses, he goes out and purchases door prizes," Mullen explained. "As the kids come up waiting for the awards ceremony to come, we'll hand out tickets. And these tickets are raffle tickets which get put into the bucket, which could qualify for these door prizes."
Overall, the YMCA Halloween Parade is shaping up to be a fun and spooky addition to the multitude of events on October 30.
"The parade basically is just the opportunity for businesses, schools, families, just to have some fun," said Mullen. "A little camaraderie, socialization, going around the theme of Halloween where you get your creative on."
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