Pandemic Cancels Nyack's Halloween Parade, Costume Contest

NYACK, NY — Nyack's iconic Halloween parade and costume contest has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hosted by the Nyack Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by leading local merchants, the event annually draws Halloween party fans from across the tri-state region, with hundreds of marchers and floats, more than 10,000 spectators, plus pre-and after-parade events at local parks, restaurants and bars. SEE: [VIDEO] Thousands Jam Downtown Nyack For Halloween Parade.

It's the biggest Halloween parade in New York outside of Greenwich Village (where the parade has also been cancelled.)

It's just not an event when social distancing is easy or even possible; plus, in Phase 4 of New York state's post-outbreak reopening, gatherings are still limited to 50 or fewer people.

"But there's still plenty of scary fun to be had," said Katherine Davies, a Chamber board member.

The Chamber is hosting a virtual 'Halloween From Home' on Facebook, inviting everyone to post and view costume photos (including pets), videos, musical performances, cooking tutorials (the slimier the better) and more.

"Plus we're running a drive-by viewing of decorated houses for the kids," Davies said.

And then there's the Maskarade.

"Nyack merchants are already running a creative 'Maskarade' contest for all to show off their most spectacular pandemic masks," added Maria Luisa Whittingham of Nyack Merchants United. "There will be great prizes, to be awarded at a red carpet event in Nyack on October 30."

"The idea behind all these events is to engage people in the famous, and sometimes crazy, Nyack Halloween vibe — safely, and from their homes if they choose," said Roger Cohen, president of the Nyack Chamber.