Spooktacular returns to Del Ray this weekend.

The 12th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade is set for Sunday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. Last year, more than 5,000 participated in this annual event which included over 2,000 children, special dignitaries and elected officials; over 50 pets in Halloween costumes; and 25 decorated strollers.

The parade will begin at 2 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte and continue down to the Mount Vernon Recreational Center play fields at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. Children, pets, and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb. To register your stroller, please look for the registration desk at Bellefonte and Mt. Vernon Avenues beginning at 1:30 p.m.  For Pet Registration, there is a new location - it will begin at 1:30 at Barkley Square at 2006 Mt. Vernon Avenue.

This year’s parade will feature awards for the Best Pet Costume, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Home, and Best Decorated Stroller. Nominations for best decorated business can be made by calling 703.684.3535 or emailing gtrdelray@yahoo.com.  Nominations for best decorated home can be made by contacting Jennifer Walker at 703-286-1206 or jen@jenwalker.com  

Judges will include local city and community officials, past and present. Awards will be given out at a brief ceremony at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues following the parade, along with refreshments (hot dogs donated by 7-Eleven, cider, and cookies) and goodie bags for the children.

Entertainment will be provided by one of our favorite bands, Folsom Prisoners and again this year thanks to the Alexandria Jaycees and DC Metro Church there will be games and activities for the children. They will take place at the Mt. Vernon fields immediately following the parade. All activities are free

For the fifth year, organizers will collect and distribute Halloween costumes for children who would otherwise have to go without. Sonated costumes will be collected at the Caboose Cafe, 2419 Mt. Vernon Avenue and at A Show of Hands, 2204  Mt. Vernon Avenue Costums will be distributed on Saturday, October 25, from 2-4 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center.  

The parade is sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association and the City of Alexandria.

For more information, contact:  Gayle Reuter at 703-684-3535 or gtrdelray@yahoo.com or check out our website at www.visitdelray.com