Q: What time does the parade start?

A: The head of the parade steps off at 7pm (more or less). It takes at least an hour, and more frequently longer, for the tail of the parade to cross the starting line. Last year (a warm Friday) it took over two hours for the entire parade to cross the starting line.

Q: What time does the parade end?

A: The parade takes about an hour to walk from Spring to 21st Street, so when it ends for you depends upon when you join the parade. It might take longer or shorter depending upon the weather, temperature, crowd. Last year the last elements walked (well it was the Webster Hall/KTU float, so it really drove) off Sixth Avenue at 10:45.

Q: How long is the parade?

A: The parade runs from Spring Street, straight up Sixth Avenue to 21st Street. A handful of bands mixed in with the puppets will march to 22nd Street. All bands and vehicles will be separated from the general public by parade marshals and send down 22nd or 21st street depending upon their location in the line of march.

Q: How long will it take to get from the start to the finish?

A: It takes about an hour to walk from Spring to 21st, approximately 1 block every three minutes.

Q: What time should we arrive at the parade?

A: Bands and vehicles that are in the parade should arrive by 5:00 pm and go to their assigned lineup areas. The official entrance to the assembly area for all bands and groups is at the corner of Varick and Dominick but it will be possible to enter at other locations. Make sure your band members and groupies know the name of your band as it's listed in the line up and be prepared to say "I'm with the Hungry March Band" for example, or "I'm with Aztec Marching Band" - this will help marshalls and volunteers get them into the assembly area and direct them to the right line up location.

Q: Where is the band staging area?

A: Some bands with vehicles lineup on Spring Street, one or two bands line up on the inner roadway next to the park, but MOST of the bands line up in the park that is just to the west of 6th Avenue, South of Spring Street. The entrance to this band area is at the corner of Broome and Sixth Avenue.

Marshalls and volunteers will help band members find their lineup positions. If you've been assigned a GHOST position, you will go to the inner roadway of Sixth Avenue just west of the park. If you've been assigned a PUMPKIN position, you will enter the band area in the park on the south side of the park at BROOME Street.

While waiting , please be respectful of your neighboring groups, allowing everyone a chance to warm up without blasting each other's ears. Marshals will ask you to lower your volume if they feel it is too loud for the parade route and surrounding Greenwich Village. The marshals will ask you before the police, so in order to avoid being asked by the police, please listen to the marshals. We really want everyone to have a fantastic parade.

Q: What should we do when we arrive?

A: Please send ONE person from your band over to the band checkin table to check in with Matthew Fass, the Music Director, or Gabrielle Kerson, who will be assisting him. You need to check in with them so we know you have arrived.

Q: Where do we park?

A: Support vehicles need permits, and are not allowed in the parade itself. Please have support vehicles drop off their goods and then drive up to 21st Street, parking between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue ­ closer to 7th. The Sixth Avenue subway at 23rd Street connects directly to Spring, where the Parade assembles, so your drivers can come back and join your group.

Q: Do we need a parking permit?

A: Yes, support vehicles will need a permit to park at 21st Street and 7th Avenue. Please let us know how many permits you need, the name and the cellphone number for the person responsible for the vehicle and we will send the permit(s) to you by mail.

Q: Is there a place to store our cases and other gear while we march?

A: No. It is suggested that you bring some friends along to carry your cases on carts, or put your cases in your vehicles and drive up to the parking area at 7th Ave and 21st Street.

Q: Is it safe to leave instruments or other gear in our vehicle?

A: We do not provide security in the parking area and cannot be held responsible for any losses. However, the area is off limits to the general public and we've never had a problem in the past.

Q: Can we have a car, truck or float in the parade?

A: NO. we do not allow private vehicles, trailers or floats in the parade due to liability and artistic reasons. Some groups have been pre-approved to bring vehicles into the parade, for example, steel pan bands, but most groups walk the parade route.

Q: What happens along the route?

A: You march! You parade! You play loud and proud! You create a good vibe! Go for it

Q: Can we stop along the way and perform for people on the sidelines?

A: No, this is not feasible because the parade needs to keep moving.

At some intersections the police will stop the parade briefly to allow cross traffic -- just be ready to move when the police re-open the parade route.

Q: Can we leave the parade early?

A: Once in the parade, the only 'exits' are for emergencies, and are at Houston and 14th Streets.

Q: Can we bring a sound system?

A: As appropriate -- for instance Samba, Pipe, Steel Drum bands do not need amplification. Rock bands might, (although I do like to point out that one of Led Zeppelin's greatest hits was acoustic).

Q: What happens at the end of the parade?

A: Once you cross 20th Street, be on the lookout for a parade marshal who will direct you to finish playing before you reach 21st Street. Please finish up your last song when asked, as you can hold up the parade and cause crowd issues if you continue to perform when asked to finish.

Your group/vehicle will then be separated from the general public and sent west onto 21st or 22nd Street. The general public, including afore mentioned groupies, etc. will be sent east at 21st and/or 22nd Street to Fifth Avenue. By agreement with the police, for safety concerns, you will not be allowed to go east nor will the general public be allowed west. Once on 21st/22nd Streets, walk down toward 7th Avenue to your vehicle and stow your gear.

Q: Can we play in the street at the end of the parade?

A: No. See above.

Q: Is there an after-party?

A: The official 'after-party' is at Webster Hall, they are a parade sponsor.

Q: Can we brings guests?

A: Yes, guests, groupies and parents are allowed, preferably in costume. Have your gropies tell the gatekeepers which group they're coming to see and they should be let into the parade.

Q: Is there a grandstand?

A: There is no official review stand for the Halloween Parade. However, Sixth Avenue from Spring to 21st Street will be lined 10 or more deep with spectators.

Q: Will we be on TV?

A: NY1 will be broadcasting the parade live from 8PM until 9:30/10:00 You won't be able to miss them as they light up the whole broadcast block, just past the Jefferson Market Library at 10th Street. A second broadcast might be happening further north along the route, but details are still in progress. Be sure to set your VCR/TiVo, as the parade organizers have no way to make copies of the broadcast.