Newark, DE – Continuing a long-standing Newark tradition, the annual Newark Halloween Parade will take place on Main Street this Sunday, October 28, 2018 beginning at 3 p.m. Trick-or-Treat Main Street will be back again this year following the parade until 5 p.m. In honor of Newark Parks & Recreation’s 50th anniversary, participants are encouraged to portray 1960s themes and the parade marshal will be retired Parks & Recreation Director, Mr. Charlie Emerson.
“This year we are not only celebrating a tradition more than seven decades strong, but also the tremendous impact our City’s Parks and Recreation Department has had on our community for the past fifty years,” said Mayor Polly Sierer. “We are grateful to the organizations, schools and businesses that participate in the parade and support or enroll in the various programs offered year-round.”
Following last year’s parade cancellation due to inclement weather, there was a marked increase in participation for 2018. More than 70 groups are registered for the parade, which will feature several local marching bands, vehicles from the Brandywine Region Antique Auto Club and Newark’s hometown fire company, AETNA Hose, Hook and Ladder. The parade will begin at Tyre Avenue at 3 p.m. and continue down Main Street to North College Avenue.
Groups interested in participating should contact the City of Newark Parks and Recreation Department at (302) 366-7000 for an application. Costumed individuals or families wanting to participate may do so by checking in with Parks and Recreation staff at George Read Park (across from Newark High School) by 2:30 p.m. the day of the parade.
Following the Halloween Parade, children are invited to enjoy goodies and activities while safely walking from business to business during Trick-or-Treat Main Street. Though the street will be closed to vehicular traffic, businesses will be open for shopping and trick-or-treating. Downtown visitors are also invited back to the Academy Building Lawn, where there will be a decorated area perfect for picture taking.
The following streets will be closed for Newark’s Annual Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treat Main Street on Sunday, October 28 from 2:30 until 5 p.m.
* Main Street (Library Avenue to South College Avenue)
* Delaware Circle
* Tyre Avenue
* Delaware Avenue (Chapel Street to Library Avenue) from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Parking is free, available and accessible in all pay-to-park, hourly municipal lots during these road closures. Parking behind the Galleria (Lot 1) can be accessed from Delaware Avenue, and parking behind Walgreens and M&T Bank (Lots 3 & 4) can be accessed from Center Street. A full event parking map is available online.
Delays are expected in the area during the event. Main Street will reopen at approximately 5 p.m. following Trick-or-Treat Main Street. These events are coordinated by the Newark Parks and Recreation Department and the Downtown Newark Partnership. In case of inclement weather, please call the Leisure Time Hotline at (302) 366-7147. There is no rain date for this event. Please contact the Parks and Recreation Office for more information at (302) 366-7000 or visit www.newarkde.gov/play.
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~ City of Newark