Roosevelt Islanders came in their most creative and some in spooky costumes today
for the annual Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade starting at Capobianco Field
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:
We will have three special events happening on the island this Saturday, October 26th that we wanted to make sure were marked on your calendars!
RIOC Halloween Parade & Extravaganza
The spooky season is upon us and this year RIOC is once again excited to host its annual Halloween Parade & Extravaganza on Saturday, October 26th!
This year’s event will once again kick-off with a parade down Main Street and proceed all the way to Southpoint Park, where we’ll be hosting Halloween fun for the whole family featuring food, music, pumpkin decorating, inflatable amusements and more!
PARADE DETAILS
Parade participants will gather at 10:00 AM at Capobianco Field (opposite 595 Main Street) then proceed down Main Street starting at 10:45AM to Southpoint Park for the Extravaganza.
Event Information
10:00 AM - Parade organizes at Capobianco Field.
10:45 AM - Parade kick-off, led by PSD/Grounds vehicle. The Parade will head south on Main Street, passing the business district, proceeding to the Blackwell turnaround. Once at Blackwell, the parade will continue south on West Road, passing the subway, ending at Southpoint Park.
11:00 AM - Enter Southpoint Park. Attendees wishing to park strollers will be directed to a designated area outside the park.
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM - If you can’t make the Halloween parade, feel free to join us at Southpoint Park for the Extravaganza! Pumpkin decorating, amusements, food, music, giveaways and more!
Halloween Pop-Up Library at Four Freedoms State Park
The Four Freedoms Park Conservancy is hosting a special Halloween pop-up library and pumpkin decorating event on Saturday, October 26th from 11 AM to 4PM. Come grab a book and decorate a FREE pumpkin (while supplies last). There are a limited numbers of pumpkins, so registration is strongly encouraged at the link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-pop-up-library-tickets-1048260363967
iDig2Learn, MSTDA, Coler Hospital and more are once again hosting their annual "City of Forest Day" at Lighthouse Park from 2:30PM to 5:30PM. The event will include:
Tree Care: Mulching, Weeding, Planting & Adding New Tree Labels (2:30PM-5:30PM)
Sample Niava's Body Butters (while supplies last) (2:30 PM)
A Performance by Jody Sperling's Time Lapse Dance (3PM-3:15PM)
Artist Nikki Lindt's Underground Listening & Drawing Experience (3:30PM-5PM)
Plogging (3:30PM-4:30PM)
This event is free to the public and all ages are welcome!
Here are scenes
from last year's Roosevelt Island Main Street Halloween Parade.
The 2023 Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade March on Main Street took place today from Capobianco Field to Southpoint Park.
Leading the parade marchers were Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown and Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cuneen. RIOC President Shelton Haynes, who has been on an extended leave for two months and has purportedly been back at work last week, was not at the parade.
Here's the Halloween Parade as seen from the sidewalk next to Nisi Restaurant. (Click the full screen icon at bottom right of video for a better viewing).
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:
The spooky season is upon us, and this year RIOC is once again excited to
host its annual Halloween Parade & Extravaganza on Saturday, October
28th!
This year’s event will once again kick-off with a parade down Main Street
and proceed all the way to Southpoint Park, where we’ll be hosting Halloween
fun for the whole family featuring food, music, pumpkin decorating, special
amusements and much more!
The parade will step-off at Capobianco Field at 10:45AM and make its way
down to Southpoint Park, where our Halloween themed festivities will run
from 11AM to 3PM. More event details, including parade logistics, are to
come, so make sure to keep a lookout for future RIOC advisories.
We can’t wait to see everyone in their scary best on Saturday, October 28th!
-Team RIOC
Here are scenes from past Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced earlier this week that the Main Street Halloween Parade will take place Saturday,
October 29, after previously saying it would not be part of this year's
Halloween festivities.
RIOC President Shelton Haynes reported to the October 20 RIOC Board of Directors meeting that the Main Street Halloween Parade would not be part of this year's
Roosevelt Island Halloween festivities at Southpoint Park but would
return in 2023.
On October 14, I asked RIOC Public Information Officer Akeem Jamal:
It may be understandable that the parade did not happen during the worst of COVID but now that we are getting back to normal, why is the Main Street Halloween Parade being replaced by an event at Southpoint Park?
Any comment from Rioc?
Mr Jamal replied on October 17:
There is no comment at this time from RIOC. With a new communications team slowly coming on board, we hope to get back to where we were soon pre-pandemic and raise the bar!
Great news that RIOC is bringing back the Main Street Halloween Parade this year.
More details on the Roosevelt Island Halloween Extravaganza from RIOC:
The
Halloween Parade and Extravaganza will be held this Saturday, October
29th! Parade participants will gather at 10:15 AM at Capobianco Field
(opposite 595 Main Street) and proceed down Main Street to South Point
Park for the Extravaganza. South Point Park for the Extravaganza. Rain
date Sunday, October 30th.
No Parking on Sections of Main Street
In front of or opposite 501 to 645 Main St from Friday, 10/28/22 at 11:00 PMthroughSaturday, 10/29/22 at 12:00 PM
At the rear of 405 to 475 Main St from Friday, 10/28/22 at 11:00 PMthroughSaturday, 10/29/22 at 12:00 PM
In front of or opposite 250 to 281 Main St from Friday, 10/28/22 at 11:00 PMthroughSaturday, 10/29/22 at 12:00 PM
Traffic Changes on Main Street
Traffic will be stopped from 10:40 AM – 11:00 AM, between Capobianco Field on Main Street and West Road, for the parade.
10:40-11:30 Traffic will be diverted from West roadway at Tram to East side Main Street F/O 405 Main Street to 480 Main Street
Parade Information
10:15 AM - Parade organizes at Capobianco Field. (Wristbands will be given out to all participants in the park).
10:45 AM - Parade
kick-off, led by PSD/Grounds vehicle. The Parade will head south on Main
Street, passing the business district, proceeding to the Blackwell
turnaround. Once at Blackwell, the parade will continue south on West
Road, passing the subway, ending at South point park.
11:00 AM - Enter South point park. Attendees wishing to park strollers will be directed to a designated area outside the park.
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM - If you can’t make the Halloween parade, feel free to join us at South Point Park for the Extravaganza!
Have fun!!!
UPDATE 5 PM - Wildlife Freedom Foundation Trick or Treat Halloween Dog Party at Southpoint Park Cat Sanctuary too.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation is excited to present the Halloween Harvest Extravaganza on Saturday, October 30th at Southpoint Park, from 2 - 5 PM!
While we are unable to return to full Halloween activities at this time, this scaled-down free event will be a festive day of fun and a chance for all to show off your Halloween costumes -- whether they be spooky, funny, smart, beautiful, or downright terrifying! Activities will include pumpkin painting, costume walks, music, dancing, art activities, giveaways, and more!
Get ready to have a SPOOK-tacular time!
The 2020 Roosevelt Island Main Street Halloween Parade was cancelled last year due to the Covid Pandemic. RIOC has not explained why the Halloween
Parade was cancelled this year too.
The 2019 Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade March on Main Street took place today from Capobianco Field to Sportspark.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) almost one thousand marchers participated in today's parade, based upon the number of wrist bands distributed.
Here's the Halloween Parade as seen from sidewalk next to Nisi Restaurant. (Click the full screen icon at bottom right of video for a better viewing)
People had a good time but several mentioned being disappointed that there was no music, marching band or spooky vehicle leading the Halloween Parade this year as done in past parades.
Some of the costumed Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade marchers.
The Parade marched south on Main Street to the Sportspark for an indoors Halloween Extravaganza and a shout out from Captain America a/k/a NYC Council Member Ben Kallos.
Some more pictures from Roosevelt Island Sportspark Halloween Extravaganza.
Are all of you Roosevelt Island Ghosts, Ghouls and costumed creatures ready for one of the Best Roosevelt Island events of the year?
This Saturday, October 26, is the annual Roosevelt Island Family Halloween Parade & Extravaganza. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)
The Halloween Parade and Extravaganza will be held this Saturday, October 26th! Parade participants will gather at 11:00 AM at Capobianco Field (across from 595 Main St) and proceed down Main Street to Sportspark for the Extravaganza.
No Parking on Sections of Main Street
In front of or opposite 501 to 645 Main St from Friday, 10/25/19 at 11:00 PM through Saturday, 10/26/19 at 1:00 PM
At the rear of 405 to 475 Main St from Friday, 10/25/19 at 11:00 PM through Saturday, 10/26/19 at 1:00 PM
In front of or opposite 250 to 281 Main St from Friday, 10/25/19 at 11:00 PM through Saturday, 10/26/19 at 6:00 PM
Traffic Changes on Main Street
Traffic will be stopped from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, between Capobianco Field on Main Street and West Road, for the parade.
Parade Information
11:00 AM - Parade organizes at Capobianco Field. (Wristbands will be given out to all participants in the park).
11:30 AM - Parade kick-off, led by PSD. The Parade will head south on Main Street, passing the business district, proceeding to the Blackwell turnaround. Once at Blackwell, the parade will continue south on West Road, passing the subway, ending at Sportspark.
12:00 PM - Enter Sportspark. Attendees wishing to park strollers will be directed to a designated area outside the building.
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM- If you can’t make the Halloween parade, feel free to join us at Sportspark for the Extravaganza!
Thank you to Westview, Island House, Manhattan Park, Verizon, Cornell Café, Island Kids, Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance, R.I. Branch NY Public Library, and the R.I. Seniors Association for their generous contributions to the event!
For more information on the Halloween Extravaganza, see the poster below.
The preparations for this year's Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade got off to a rocky start after rumors were circulated that the Parade was being cancelled. Fortunately that turned out not to be true.
But, RIOC moved the Extravaganza portion of the celebration inside to the Sportspark Facility and initially changed the parade route which would have bypassed Main Street's WIRE buildings corridor.
After a community outcry and with the urging of RIOC Director David Kraut, the Halloween Parade was restored to it's traditional Main Street Route though marching south from Capobianco Field to Sportspark instead of past years going north from Blackwell House to Capobianco Field.
During the October 17 RIOC Board of Directors meeting, RIOC President Susan Rosenthal acknowledged making a mistake in changing the traditional Roosevelt Island Family Halloween Parade route away from the Main Street WIRE Buildings corridor. According to Ms Rosenthal;
I screwed up. We're human and we heard the interest of the community in wanting to continue the tradition of the parade marching down the business section of Main Street so we are going to do that.
Good job by RIOC listening to the Roosevelt Island community and making the correction.
Have a great time at the Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade & Extravaganza!!!
Rather, RIOC moved the Parade's final destination from outdoors at Capobianco Field to indoors at Sportspark, where it had taken place last year due to the rain.
However, RIOC decided to change the route of the 40 year old parade which traditionally had the costumed marchers walking north on Main Street passing crowds watching on the sidewalks in front of the WIRE buildings.
Update - @RIOCny says Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade is not being cancelled. Planning a new route because of new indoor location at Sportspark. More to come soon. https://t.co/SAF8zP0Gwehttps://t.co/3P36e9T6pu
... departing from the Lawn south of Rivercross (across from 500 Main St.), and proceeds to Sportspark for entry into the Halloween Extravaganza!...
The new route was not well received by the Roosevelt Island community. As one resident noted:
... is a walk past the train station as representative and inclusive as a stroll down Main Street, waving at bystanders who may frequent the businesses that we rely on
Do you know how many residents of our community live on that western road? None. The building entrances are on the eastern road. Maybe the subway attendant will wave and cheer us on.
At the end of yesterday's (October 15) RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting, I brought up the subject of the Halloween Parade and asked why the route had been changed?
RIOC President Susan Rosenthal replied:
... it was a question of PSD and Community Affairs together making that decision subject to Executive approval - seemed to make sense because of the traffic issues... I'm taking full responsibility....
RIOC Board Director David Kraut, attended by phone, interrupted to support the traditional Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade route. According to Mrl Kraut:
This Island had traditionally had two parades a year in which we watched our children grow. The Little League Parade in April and the Halloween Parade in October...
... We love to see our children parade on Halloween. We just do. It's been with us every year for the 40 years I've been on this Rock....
... You can't have a parade down where nobody lives. You need to have a parade where people can see it and if that means marching from Capabianco to Sportspark or something else ... let it be so.
Give the kids a chance to show off their costumes and give them festivities at the end of it.... Roosevelt Island is about nothing if not about our kids.... Considerations of traffic don't mean much to me. You stop the traffic and let the kids march thru....
Ms Rosenthal was convinced by Mr. Kraut and relented:
... I don't feel strongly about this issue and if you do am happy to go back and modify it....
Here's the discussion.
RIOC is expected to announce the specifics of the Halloween Parade route later today.
Here's the 2017 Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade marching on Main Street.
Good job Mr. Kraut in explaining the importance of Halloween to RIOC staff and good job by RIOC in listening to community and revising their plan.
The parade begins on Saturday, October 26th at 11:00 AM, departing from Capobianco Field (across from 595 Main Street), proceed down Main Street to Sportspark where the Halloween Extravaganza will take place. For more information on the Halloween Extravaganza, click here.
Here’s how the parade will work:
1. 11:00 AM - Parade organizes at Capobianco Field. (Wristbands will be available for all participants will be given out in the park.)
2. 11:30 AM - Parade kick-off led by PSD. Parade will head south on Main Street, passing the business district, proceeding to the Blackwell turnaround. Once at Blackwell, parade will stay south on West Road, passing the subway and on to Sportspark.
3. 12:15 PM - Arrive at and enter Sportspark. Attendees wishing to park strollers will be directed to proceed to a designated area.
4. Wristbands for late-comers will be available at Sportspark.
One of the great Roosevelt Island traditions that makes living here so special is the annual Family Halloween Parade with kids, moms, dads and other residents of all ages marching down Main Street. dressed up in their ghostly, goulish and very creative costumes (Click on full screen image at bottom right of video for better viewing of costumed parade marchers).
Many others enjoy just watching the Parade heading down Main Street.
That Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade tradition may not happen this year. Yesterday, RIOC sent out this flyer
announcing a Halloween Extravaganza taking place inside the Sportspark facility, but no mention of the Main Street Halloween Parade. Upon receiving the Halloween flyer yesterday, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal:
Rumor going around that RIOC is cancelling the Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade.
Is that true? I don't see any mention in the Halloween flyer about the Parade. Only events in Sportspark.
If true, what is reason for cancelling the Parade?
Any statement from RIOC about the Halloween Parade.
Also, a Roosevelt Island tipster reported:
Just got confirmation that RIOC has cancelled for this year (and possibly permanently) our RI Halloween Parade down Main Street...
A RIOC spokesperson replied that the matter is being looked into and will get back to me with info.
Stay tuned - hopefully, the Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade will continue this year.
UPDATE 9:55 AM - Roosevelt Island residents react to news that RIOC may cancel Halloween Parade:
Say it isn't so Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation of the State of New York...Will all of those smiling faces be turned upside down this Halloween? Is it a budgetary decision? Has there ever been a crowd count based on past Halloween Extravaganzas'? This has to be the single most locally attended event we ever have on RI....and we don't need to worry about lines at the Subway.
and:
Come on RIOC! This is a time honored tradition, for over 40+ years!! You really are just going to cancel it now and forever, without any to none community input?
What a shame. Shame on you!
The Sports Park event doesn’t compare and is not a replacement.
and:
Let RIOC KNOW DON’T CANCEL THE PARADE call tweet or stop in the office let them know how the community feels
2:15 PM - More comments from residents:
Generations of Islanders have marched in this parade and look forward to it every year! Some of us remember Al Lewis “Grandpa Munster” who lived here serving as Grand Marshall! The parade means everything to this community!
And:
Should be pretty easy to reinstate once they realize the community cares this much about it. It can’t be a huge burden or expense to shut down Main Street for an hour. The event at sports park is fun for older kids but potentially overwhelming for little ones - the parade was perfect for them, and also gave the community (especially elderly people) the opportunity to enjoy and participate by observing.
And:
Write letter , after letter, after letter, flood them with letters
UPDATE - 3:10 PM -
I thought in their view it was already a certainty. Parents network preparing to push back though. I get it that weather has been bad for last couple of years, but this is a tradition going back 35+ years. Not ok for @RIOCny to unilaterally cancel it without community input.
The parade is most definitely not being cancelled this year. We were – and still are - in the process of finalizing the program, which includes a new parade route to accommodate the new indoor location at Sportspark. We hope to release more information later on today on the new route.
UPDATE - According to RIOC:
Yesterday, we shared the news about the Roosevelt Island Halloween Extravaganza.
Today, we’re sharing information on the annual Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade!
The parade begins on Saturday, October 26th at 11:30 AM, departing from the Lawn south of Rivercross (across from 500 Main St.), and proceeds to Sportspark for entry into the Halloween Extravaganza!
Please arrive at 11 AM if you’d like to join in. More Halloween Extravaganza details below.
We look forward to seeing all your costumes on display!
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
