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October 27, 2022 – The City of Allentown is host to several Halloween events this weekend, including a Halloween Walking Parade and Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Festival on October 29.
The Halloween Walking Parade is a modern approach to the traditional parade structure of years past. This year’s event emphasizes safe streets, focusing on children and families and eliminating moving vehicles like floats and cars. Instead, the City is asking attendees to wear their Halloween costumes and walk the parade route to receive their treats.
The parade has six divisions starting at 9th and Hamilton St. at 11 a.m. down to the Arts Park and ending at 1 p.m. During this time, families can trick-or-treat from over 75 participating businesses and organizations. Each division is also assigned a music sponsor and a unique family-friendly Halloween-themed game.
Division 1 runs from 9th to 8th St. on Hamilton St. This will be the check-in station where families receive their Halloween bags and a parade passport which allows children to partake in free crafts activities and receive their free smores. Families can also navigate a hay maze area set up at DLP Plaza. Live music at this division is sponsored by LOUD Radio PA.
Division 2 runs from 8th to 7th St. on Hamilton St. with music by the Allentown School District Middle School Bands. Division 3 runs from 7th St. to S. Church St. with music by the Pioneer Band at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Division 4 runs from S. Church St. to N. 6th St. on Hamilton St. with music sponsored by La Mega 101.7FM. Division 5 runs from N. 6th St. to W. Court St. on 6th St. with music and dance performed by Ely Dance Studio.
Division 6 is at the Downtown Allentown Market. Families can trick-or-treat at Ciao Sandwich Shoppe, Johnny’s Bagels, Khanisa’s Pudding Bar, Bar 1838, Loaded Plantain, Zahra, Tavola, and Little Bit of Local.
The Halloween Walking Parade is sponsored by DLP Capital, Stuffed Puffs, Wegman’s, and City Center Allentown. Community partners are LANTA, Allentown Parking Authority (APA), and the PPL Center. LANTA is offering free rides throughout the City of Allentown between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to those who present the attached bus pass printed or on a mobile device. APA is offering free parking through 1 p.m. at the Spiral, Community, and Strata decks in the downtown.
Hamilton St. from 9th to 6th Streets, 8th St. from Walnut to Linden Streets, and 7th St. from Walnut to Linden Streets will all be closed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Additionally, 6th St. from Hamilton to Court Streets be closed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Court St. between 5th and 6th will remain open for private parking deck access.
Following the parade, the City will host a Día de los Muertos Festival in partnership with ICDI and the Baum School of Art at the Arts Park from 1 to 6 p.m. where families can enjoy music, dance, and cultural celebration. The Baum School will host educational activities inside its facility, including an altar display until 3 p.m.
In respect of the Mexican culture, participating vendors have been limited to local, authentic Mexican businesses and organizations.
Following this event, the City will host its final Movie in the Park for the 2022 season, Disney’s Coco, with Spanish subtitles. The film will start at dusk, around 6:30 p.m., at the Arts Park.
5th St. from Hamilton to Linden Streets will be closed from 1 to 9 p.m. for the Día de los Muertos Festival and Movie in the Park.
More information on the City’s Halloweekend activities, including the full schedule of events, can be found at www.allentownpa.gov/halloweekend.
Information provided to TVL by:
Genesis Ortega
Communications Manager
Office of the Mayor
http://www.AllentownPA.gov
