PHOTOS: 44th annual New York City Village Halloween Parade, 10/31/17
Just hours after a terrorist drove a pickup truck into innocent civilians in Lower Manhattan, killing eight people and injuring 11, the 44th annual Village Halloween Parade marched down the streets of Greenwich Village undeterred, drawing an estimated 1.5 million costumes, artists, and spectators.
Led by Grand Marshal Anjelica, a Brooklyn recording artist, in a New Orleans-style float designed by Alexei Kazantsev, hundreds of puppets, dancers, artists, and 35 different bands participated in the world’s largest largest Halloween parade and street pageant. Joined by Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, the festivities began on 6th Avenue at Canal Street and proceeded toward 16th Street.
This year’s theme was “Cabinet of Curiosities: An Imaginary Menagerie,” featuring puppets of “a bestiary of fantastic hybrids, culled from the hallowed halls of cryptozoology, inviting our volunteers to build and animate our imaginary menagerie,” though the event quickly became about unity and free expression in light of recent events.
“I refuse to live in fear,” one costumed participant said. “This is about having fun.”
That’s New York for you – brave, resilient, and always having a good time.
