The 27th annual Throggs Neck Halloween Parade benefited from great weather on Saturday, October 30.
Hundreds came out to show off their creative costumes and community pride during the parade that marched through the streets. The parade was followed by a street party on Throgs Neck Boulevard between Harding and Schurz avenues. There were costume contests for four different age groups, and rides like a giant slide, inflatable castles, and swings.
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto spearheaded the event, which was organized and staffed with workers from his office and the offices of Congressman Joseph Crowley, Senator Jeff Klein, and Councilman Jimmy Vacca. A thousand children in costume and their elected officials were in attendances as the parade made its way up to East Tremont Avenue, to Sampson Avenue, to the Throgs Neck Expressway service road, and then back to Throgs Neck Boulevard.
“This is one of the best Throggs Neck Halloween Parades yet,” Benedetto said. “The weather is just beautiful. We have a line of marchers that is four blocks long. This parade and party is all for the kids, and they all will have a great time.”
Benedetto said that the parade and party would not be possible without the help of Crowley, Klein and Vacca. He also thanked sponsors like Con Edison, D & J Ambulette, Neighborhood Initiative Development Corporation, Bronx Times Reporter and TD Bank, who made the largest donations among the many sponsors.
The parade included a performance from the Mother Cabrini High School marching band, who performed in costume. Many parents from Throggs Neck came to the parade with their children.
“It shows great community pride,” said Theresa Coutsouradis, who participated with her husband and son John. “Instead of staying inside and watching television, they can come out and enjoy the parade and party.”
Parent Aja Gordon of Throggs Neck said that she believes that the day brings the community closer together, and allows the children to be kids and have fun when so many other demands are often placed upon them.
“I think it helps the children to know that Halloween is one day out of the year they can have fun and not be uptight,” Gordon said. “We can see the children coming closer together. They are expressing creativity with their costumes.”
Bill White, representing sponsor Con Edison, said that he hoped that the event would be a memorable one for children and their parents. White was of the judges in the costume contests after the parade.
“Being a sponsor for this parade is being part of this community,” White said. “These are our customers, and we like to give back to our communities.”
Benedetto said that the parade and party is one of the great joys of living in Throggs Neck. Senator Klein remarked that the parade and party was a time not just to celebrate Halloween, but to celebrate the Throggs Neck community.
