2022 66th Annual Halloween Parade

Which giant pumpkin will be in the 2022 parade? Come and find out on Monday, Oct. 31st at the 66th Annual Halloween Parade on King St. in downtown Leesburg.

Leesburg has had an annual Halloween parade since 1957, and since at least 1964 the Leesburg Kiwanis club has organized and sponsored it.

Come out in costume if you like, to watch high school school bands, decorated floats, classic cars, police, fire, and rescue units, and more. Just line the route anywhere on King Street between Ida Lee Park and Safeway to be entertained and get some treats (CANDY). The biggest crowds are north of Market Street and near Safeway; near Loudoun Street is a good place to get a great view and still receive plenty of candy.

Our Kids Halloween Costume Contest is back. See our dedicated page for how to participate!

Want to register to be in the parade? Download the essential information; then submit an application. We ask all participants to keep in mind that this is a Halloween parade first and foremost—decorated floats, costumed participants, and passing out lots of treats to thousands of viewers of all ages. Whatever you do, respect the parade’s sole purpose, and keep it moving–our viewers don’t like the parade to drag out, especially on a school night, and gaps between units for political and business promotion are big culprits. Political parties typically are at the rear of the parade–please be courteous, even to those with different views (remember, this is a Halloween street party!).

Bob Wright passing out No-Parking notices to businesses and residences
on King St. prior to the parade. You don’t want to be towed!

We are continuing the parade in honor of Bob Wright, a longtime member of our club, who passed away in May of 2022. Bob and Suzanne, his wife and fellow Kiwanian, worked hard for the past 20 years to organize a fun-filled event.

Don’t forget to take a non-perishable food item to donate to Loudoun Hunger Relief, which is celebrating its 30th year anniversary. Every year the parade collects hundreds of pounds of food for the community food bank. With multiple major holidays approaching food for the shelves is more needed than ever, and cereal is the item needed the most this year. Show your thanks for a great parade with a food donation. Collection is at Ida Lee Field for entrants–the LHR van comes at the end.

If you’d like to volunteer to help at the parade, contact Kim at 301-606-8214.

Parade Schedule

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Parade entrants line up in the field at Ida Lee Park along North King Street. Enter through the north gate. (Parade order is the order of arrival.) Parking available for parade participants only.

 HS Bands line up along Ida Lee Drive. (One vehicle towing band trailer may follow each unit.)

 Police, Fire and Rescue line up along west side of North King Street at Ida Lee Park facing south.

5:00 p.m.     Float judging begins. Categories:

  • Best Float
  • Most Creative
  • Best Interpretation of the Halloween theme

5:30 p.m.     Latest arrival; police close King Street between Battlefield Parkway and Catoctin Circle South!

5:45 p.m.     Float winners awarded.

6:00 p.m.     Parade begins at Ida Lee Park on North King Street and travels about 1 mile south on King Street, ending at the intersection of Fairfax and South King Streets where it turns left into Virginia Village Shopping Center.

7-8:00 p.m.  Parade ends (approximate).

Post Parade Pick-Up

At the end of the parade, please meet your group at the Virginia Village Shopping Center, S King St. and Catoctin Circle across from Safeway.

Parking

Vehicles dropping off parade participants are not allowed in the parade.

If you park in Ida Lee Field, you will not be allowed to exit until police say it is safe. If you are still at the field at 5:30 pm, the police may not let you depart north on N King St.

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