News

Del Ray Halloween Parade returns to Mount Vernon Avenue on October 30

By James Cullum

The spookiness is returning to Mount Vernon Avenue with the annual Del Ray Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 30.

It’s Visit Del Ray’s 26th year hosting the fun event, which it starts at 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Bellefonte Avenue and ends with live music and prizes at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center athletic fields.

The grand marshall of this year’s parade is a student from Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology.

Thousands are expected to attend the event.

Star Trek fans marching in the Del Ray Halloween parade on Sunday, October 24, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Del Ray Halloween Parade includes:

  • Stroller and pet costume contests — Participants must register at 1:30 p.m. at the corner of Mt. Vernon and E. Howell Avenues
  • Best Decorated House and Business contests — The nomination deadline is Sunday, October 23, at noon.
  • Scavenger Hunt — Four winners will receive a $50 gift card to their favorite Del Ray business.

Visit Del Ray is also collecting Halloween costumes for kids at the Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Boys & Girls Club, Community Lodgings, and the Alexandria Domestic Violence program.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.