Northalsted Halloween Parade organizers consider changes, possible block party
Thu. March 14, 2013 9:46 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
northalsted halloween parade, 2012
photo credit // ken brown
Organizers seek input and ideas from area residents on Halloween parade
Chicago, IL -
Organizers behind the Northalsted Halloween Parade are considering a significant change to the annual Boystown event, according to Lakeview Patch.
During a Triangle Neighbors Association (TNA) meeting on Wednesday night, Nirmalpal Sachdev, manager of Steamworks and chairperson of the parade, pitched a Halloween street party to happen along North Halsted Street between Roscoe and Cornelia Ave.
"We're looking to make it different every year by changing it up," Sachdev said during the meeting at the Town Hall Police District headquarters.
According to organizers the costs associated with the annual parade became a serious consideration.
"Financially, the parade has gotten more and more expensive," said TNA Vice President John Becvar.
The proposed Halloween street party wouldn't have booths and organizers wouldn't seek approval to serve alcohol on the streets.
"We are exploring possibilities of changes to how we celebrate Halloween on North Halsted," Jen Gordon, a spokesperson for Northalsted Business Alliance, told ChicagoPride.com. "We are currently working with community groups to develop a plan that continues our tradition of a fun and safe event on Halloween."
Organizers also said they are seeking community feedback and are open to changing the plan.
Last year the Northalsted Halloween Parade, which is now in it's 16th year, ran a full mile and drew thousands of people to the Lakeview neighborhood.
Read more on Lakeview Patch
During a Triangle Neighbors Association (TNA) meeting on Wednesday night, Nirmalpal Sachdev, manager of Steamworks and chairperson of the parade, pitched a Halloween street party to happen along North Halsted Street between Roscoe and Cornelia Ave.
"We're looking to make it different every year by changing it up," Sachdev said during the meeting at the Town Hall Police District headquarters.
According to organizers the costs associated with the annual parade became a serious consideration.
"Financially, the parade has gotten more and more expensive," said TNA Vice President John Becvar.
The proposed Halloween street party wouldn't have booths and organizers wouldn't seek approval to serve alcohol on the streets.
"We are exploring possibilities of changes to how we celebrate Halloween on North Halsted," Jen Gordon, a spokesperson for Northalsted Business Alliance, told ChicagoPride.com. "We are currently working with community groups to develop a plan that continues our tradition of a fun and safe event on Halloween."
Organizers also said they are seeking community feedback and are open to changing the plan.
Last year the Northalsted Halloween Parade, which is now in it's 16th year, ran a full mile and drew thousands of people to the Lakeview neighborhood.
Read more on Lakeview Patch