The Coney Island Children’s Halloween Parade is coming boo-ack this month, intent on restoring spookiness to the people’s playground after last year’s pandemic-induced cancellation.
The frightening fiesta will return to Maimonides Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, for its 11th iteration on Oct. 30, two years after little ones last attended the parade. Festivities will begin at the baseball stadium, where kids can take part in a costume contest and enjoy magic shows, bouncy houses, and various arts-and-crafts, before marchers make their way down the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk.
The parade is being put on by the Alliance for Coney Island, a group that advocates for local businesses in the area, with support from area pols and businesses.
“We are delighted to bring back this fun-filled family event to celebrate Halloween and provide fun activities as well as our costume contest which always brings out amazing creativity,” said Alexandra Silversmith, executive director of the Alliance. “We appreciate the support of our elected officials and sponsors to make this event a possibility for the first time since 2019.”
Kids ages 3-14 are eligible to participate, and must arrive in costume and be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Masks and social distancing will be required for all participants to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, but the show will otherwise go on as normal with a few COVID-induced changes, such as arm and hand painting instead of face painting.
Four awards will be bestowed at the costume contest: Best Group Costume, Most Creative Costume, Best Handmade Costume, and Best Overall Costume.
Registration starts at 10:30 am on Oct. 30, a half-hour before the spooktacular shindig commences at 11. After sending shivers down the spines of onlookers at the stadium and on the boardwalk, all participants will be given a two-hour unlimited wristband to go on the rides at Luna Park.
