Wed. October 14, 2009
Chicago, IL -
Triangle Neighbors announced the theme of "Mad Hatter's Ball" - everything from funny hats to Alice in Wonderland - will take center stage as the theme of this year's Northalsted Halloween Costume Parade.
Presented by Triangle Neighbors Association, a branch of the Lake View Citizens' Council, in conjunction with merchants from the Northalsted Business Alliance, the iconic annual parade is always guaranteed to be one of the city's most outrageous and imaginative Halloween celebrations. This year's sponsors and partners include Bud Light Golden Wheat and leading Lake View institutions: the Chicago Cubs Charities, Equality Illinois and Center on Halsted.
Participants in the parade will vie for thousands of dollars in costume contest prizes and gift cards, with winners of the costume contest announced on the main stage at the end of the parade by its "Queen of Hearts" emcee, Miss Foozie. The Chicago Spirit Brigade will also perform on the main stage.
The parade's festivities begin at 4 p.m., when Two Lights Theater Company transform Space Park (815-817 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60657) into Wonderland for free registration for the costume contest and parade for children and pets.
Free registration for the costume contest and parade for adults and groups will be at SPIN Nightclub located at 800 W. Belmont Ave also at 4 p.m. Parade participants must register and be lined up by 6 p.m. to march in the parade and be eligible for one of the dozen prizes. A special prize will be awarded to the costume that best represents the theme of the parade, "Mad Hatter's Ball."
Thousands are expected to either participate in or view the parade which has quickly grown to become one of Chicago's must-attend Halloween events. Estimates from prior years suggest over 10,000 people descend on Lake View for the festivities; an even larger crowd is expected with Halloween on Saturday.
The 13th annual event-held on one of Chicago's most eclectic streets, Halsted -will step off an hour earlier than prior years at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening, October 31, 2009. The parade route is Halsted from Belmont to Addison with a main stage at Halsted and Roscoe. The parade caps off a full-day of Lake View activities including activities at Agassiz School (10AM), Center on Halsted (1PM), Equality Illinois offices (3PM), trick or treating with Northalsted businesses (3PM - 5PM) and the Chicago Canine Rescue group (4PM-6PM). All the activities are conveniently accessed from the Belmont 'L' CTA stop.
Sponsorship proceeds and donations from the parade support the construction of Space Park. To date, the community has raised $1.5 Million for the new community garden park opening in early 2010.
For more information call 312.391.3355 or visit www.lakeviewcitizens.org/halloween.asp.
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