Weekend Excursion

SARAH ENGLAND/YH

Since Lee's first parade, the event has grown into one of the biggest fright fests in the country, attracting 30,000 participants and an estimated 2 million spectators (watching both live and on television). The parade has gained recognition across the globe as a night of celebration, fancy, and creativity that unites diverse groups of people. The theme of the 2000 Halloween Parade is Evolution: Body, Mind and Spirit, and the costumes, floats, and giant puppets draw inspiration from both science-fiction and human evolution.

Although in its original conception the Village Parade included only participants, today both spectators and costumed marchers flock to join in the festivities. To walk in the parade, all you need to do is wear your Halloween costume and meet other participants on Sixth Avenue between Spring and Dominic Street from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The procession will follow Sixth Avenue up to 23rd Street, then end by turning right toward Fifth Avenue. If you just want to watch the Parade, find a vantage point anywhere along Sixth Avenue. (the biggest crowds are expected between Bleeker and 14th St.). For those who can't make it to the Village, the event is televised on the Sci-Fi Channel (live 7 to 9 p.m., repeat 9 to 11 p.m.) and on the USA Network (live 9 to 11 p.m., repeat 10 to 2 a.m.) The Parade starts at 6:45 p.m. and ends between 10 and 11 p.m., giving you time to return to Yale at a reasonable hour to keep on partying (it's Halloween, after all...who needs sleep?) —Holly Kline

To get to NYC, take Metro-North to Grand Central Station. From there, take the subway into the Village to the stop of your choice, depending on whether you plan to march or watch.

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