Oct. 19, 2023 By Anthony Medina
The longest-running Halloween Day Parade in the city is returning for another year, and no, it’s not in Manhattan. On Tuesday, Oct. 31, The Kiwanis Club of Glendale will host its annual Halloween Day Parade on Myrtle Avenue in Glendale.
The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. sharp at 69th Street and Myrtle Avenue and end at 65th and Myrtle Avenue. A costume contest will follow soon after the parade and prizes will be given to 10 lucky winners. It wouldn’t be Halloween without the candy and there will be plenty available throughout the festivities.
Every year, the number of participants in the historic Myrtle Avenue parade grows, attracting hundreds of children and parents.
“Our community is always buzzing with Halloween spirit, especially with events like the Kiwanis Parade in Glendale. I love how these gatherings bring us together, giving kids a fun-filled moment and keeping our traditions alive,” said Council Member Robert Holden. “I look forward to attending these events!”
The Glendale Kiwanis Club recently celebrated 70 years of service to the greater Glendale community. The club continues to provide support for the youth through donations, charities, and public events. In the Glendale Kiwanis’ 70 years of service, one of the longest serving efforts includes the Halloween Day Parade.
Newly inducted Ingrid Huber serves as the 71st president of the club and will hold the title just in time for this year’s event.
The Glendale Halloween is also steeped in Queens history. The parade began in 1966 and is the oldest Halloween parade in New York City. The parade was founded by Jim Bonnellan and his wife Kitty, along with Artie and Ronnie LaFres from the Ford dealership in Glendale, as a deterrent for vandalism during Halloween.
Decades later, the parade continues to serve as an all Halloween event for the Queens neighborhood and an example of ongoing community fellowship.
