This year’s 29th annual Throggs Neck Halloween Parade has been spooked by the weather.
After a brief parade around the block, it’s moving indoors to beat a history of rain-out postponements.
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, whose office takes the lead with other pols in organizing the parade, said most of this year’s free event will take place indoors at the Villa Barone Manor at 737 Throgs Neck Expressway, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27.
Benedetto said bad weather has forced the parade to be cancelled and then later moved indoors “about four or five times” over the past seven years.
The indoor events, he added, have always been well-attended, and fun for kids and parents alike.
After a brief parade around the block outside the Villa Barone starting at 11 a.m., the event inside will turn into a Halloween Carnival and Costume Contest.
“In the four years or so that we have had it indoors, generally we have had rave reviews,” said Benedetto.
“The parents seem to be extremely satisfied with the variety of activities that we have there. They like the whole idea that the kids are in an enclosed area where the chances of getting lost are certainly minimal.”
The free indoor event will feature music, popcorn, food, bounce rides, free raffles, a super raffle, Bear Bus, clowns, spin art, sand art, games and other amusements.
There will also be costume contests for several different age groups from newborns to roughly 12-year-olds, said Benedetto.
Benedetto’s staff will be joined by community volunteers and staffers from Congressman Joseph Crowley, Senator Jeff Klein, and Councilman James Vacca’s offices.
Anyone wishing to serve as a community volunteer should call Mike Johnson in Benedetto’s office at (718) 892-2235.
Patrick Rocchio can be reach via e-mail at procchio@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3393
