News

Del Ray’s Annual Halloween Celebration Goes Virtual

The Del Ray Halloween Parade has been canceled, but the community has rebounded with a weeklong celebration with virtual contests and a scavenger hunt.

The annual event is sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association (DRBA), which has adapted to present the events with community sponsors.

“We look forward to seeing all the ghosts, goblins, princesses, and superheroes on the Avenue in 2021!” DRBA said on its website.

Submissions for the best decorated house are hilariously terrifying so far, with some homes decorated as graveyards. One home has a front yard full of signs reading, “Don’t be a monster, vote early,” and “Zombie deaths matter.” Another has skeletons around signs in the front saying “CIVIL UNREST,” “UNEMPLOYMENT” and “MURDER HORNETS.”

https://www.facebook.com/VisitDelRay/posts/10158453303221955

Del Ray Halloween events include:

Best Decorated House Contest

The deadline for nominations is Sunday, October 25 at 12 noon.  To nominate a house click here.  The Del Ray Business Association will release a map of the top ten nominees by Wednesday, October 28.

Best Group Costume Contest

The deadline for nominations is Monday, November 1. Click here to enter.

Best Pet Costume Contest

The annual best pet costume contest will move online.  The deadline to enter is October 28; voting will take place October 29-30, with winners announced October 31.  Click here to enter.  Thank you to Paul Haire of Your Dog’s Best Friends for sponsoring this contest!

Best Decorated Block Contest

The deadline for nominations is Sunday, October 25 at noon. To nominate a block, click here

Best Decorated Business Contest

The deadline for nominations is Sunday, October 25, at noon. To nominate a business, click here.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

Walk the Avenue (in costume or not!) and find Halloween-themed items in Del Ray’s murals and decorated businesses.  The hunt launches on Friday, October 23! Four winners (randomly selected from all entries) will receive $50 gift cards to spend at their favorite Del Ray business.

Image via Visit Del Ray/Facebook

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.