This years New York Village Halloween Parade kicked  its festivities this year with off with a bang! On a crisp fall night Hundreds of participants gathered together dressed in their best costumes to give one of the most elaborate ghostly Halloween events happening all over the city.

Plagued by a strained budget this year, the NYC Village Parade staff had very little room financially to increase on last years festivities but overall they presented a wonderful Halloween event.

The theme this year was ‘Memento Mori,’- reminders of death.

“The story of the spirits - that return to drink, to play, to linger and above all, to dance. They offer a mirror to the world to see with fresh eyes the everyday things in our lives, rendered invisible by routine. Every sound, action, and motion we take for granted, they rejoice in – on the one night they can.”

This year’s parade of participants included guest artist Didier Civil from Jacmel, Haiti, founder of the Carnaval troupe 'La Paix' in 1989 and his papier-mâché’ work-ranging from lifelike portraits to otherworldly figures – has won him acclaim both in the streets of Haiti and in international exhibitions.

Didier collaborated with the NYC Village Parade staff to recreate and rejuvenate the entire Day of the Dead section. Didier, a celebrated painter, mask-maker and Carnaval artist offered his vision of the Haitian shadowlands ruled by the traditional Voudon figures of Baron Samedi and La Grann Brigitte.

Didier is currently working on building an all age art school in Jacmel, a dream he has not abandoned despite his studio being destroyed during the recent earthquake in Haiti.

In addition to Didier’s designs, a collage of galloping night-mares to lead the wild entourage, such as giant T-rex’s playfully snapping at the heads of the parade crowd, floating fish and 12 foot tall Calaveras skeletons.

Also performing in the parade was the Guede’, the Skull and Bones Gang of New Orleans, the Calaveras of Mexico and the Calypso band the Midnight Robbers of Trinidad.

An enthusiastic community of Halloween volunteers flooded the streets as well with dancing, singing and spooky Halloween surprises for village parade attendees!

Please click on the following link for additional photo coverage:

http://sopiphotography.com/2010/11/05/new-york-village-halloween-parade/