About

Marching into its 15^th year, the Portsmouth Halloween Parade is a grassroots, all-inclusive alternative to contemporary Halloween. Striving always to strip the plastic back out of the holidays fantastic, it is a celebration of community, creativity, resourcefulness and free expression which walks, stalks, dances, trumpets and drums its way through downtown Portsmouth New Hampshire each year on October 31. The Parade is entirely funded by the community, which rallies a number of benefits to raise funds to cover expenses of insurance, permits and police escort. Hundreds march in costume, thousands cheer from the sidelines, it's always a spectacle from either side of the curb.

While all manner of jack-out-of-the-box thinking is encouraged, there are a few guidelines, dictated sometimes by the city, occasionally by the insurers, and mostly by common sense:

The Parade is always held on October 31st, rain or moonshine.

There are no motorized vehicles allowed.

Open flames are forbidden (pitchforks are ok).

Don't throw rocks. Or candy. Seriously, bring treats to pass out to the throng, but don't just chuck stuff into the crowd.

Everyone, and we mean EVERYONE is invited! As you consider your wardrobe, remember that there will be young folk, old folk, freaks and, well, police officers all walking with you. Have fun with it, but reasonable standards of public decency and decorum still apply.

While the Parade applauds all forms of free expression, it is not a political rally or a commercial opportunity. Expect the pressing of outside agendas to be frowned upon, unless deployed with humor, ingenuity, and within the spirit of the event.

The Parade itself accepts no corporate sponsorship of any kind, and corporate logos or banners will not be welcomed on the march. That stated, sponsorships of the fund raising events are available, (necessary) and heartily encouraged.

 

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