A Parade for Kids of All Ages

Happy Kids, Happy Parents March in Annual Greenpoint Halloween Parade

Manhattan Avenue was a swarm of ghosts, ghouls, and Batmans on Sunday, October 26th, when Greenpoint/Williamsburg community organization Town Square held its annual Halloween parade. Hundreds of people dressed up and turned out to march the Manhattan Avenue route from Java Street to Norman Street and back in full costume, led by the NYPD’s Jazz Band.

As the parade halted traffic and drew stares and smiles from Greenpoint residents, the NYPD Jazz Band stirred up the parade spirit with songs like “Louie, Louie” and “New York, New York.” Older residents lined the sidewalk to watch the younger ones parade. The Manhattan Avenue Off-Track Betting (OTB) establishment was particularly curious: At least half its patrons streamed out onto the sidewalk to watch and join in the fun of the parade on the unseasonably warm October afternoon.

The NYPD has stuck to its proud tradition of having a marching band since 1903, and the current 2008 incarnation did its duty guiding youngsters safely through the streets. Once the parade wound its way back to the starting point, the Polish and Slavic Center at 176 Java Street, there was a party in the center’s basement with arts and crafts, games, and refreshments. The Jazz Band stayed on to play a few more songs downstairs.

Town Square Chairperson, Susan Anderson, was very happy with this year’s parade. She said she is pleased to be able to help coordinate the parade each year for the people in the community, and that this year was no exception. She was quick to point out the assistance of the Polish Slavic Center, the Greenpoint Toy Center, and the Polish Scouting Organization-ZHP in making the event such a huge success.

Parents did not abstain from the fun of dressing up: While the majority of the parade’s participants were youngsters, it was clear this parade wasn’t just for the kids. One Brooklyn father carried a baby sporting the trademark red hat of 1980’s New Wave band Devo. Children, too young to speak, were costumed as pumpkins, monkeys, and chickens. Obviously, this parade was for children of all ages.