Annual North Bennington Halloween Parade

We’re not going to let the pandemic stop the upcoming 28th Annual North Bennington Halloween Parade, organized by the Vermont Arts Exchange (VAE). This year’s event will feature a ‘Stay in Your Car’ Parade on Halloween day. Prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed vehicles, cars, trucks, trailers, and motorcycles and passengers. So, get ready…to join in the fun and make an impression!

Please note that the parade route will be new this year. Starting at 3:30, participating vehicles will meet a Bennington College’s back parking lot near Greenwall Auditorium/VAPA, entering through the Harlan Road entrance where volunteers will direct you to the parade line-up. The parade will start at 4pm at the College’s old stone gate at the top of Prospect Street, proceeding down into the Village, turning right at Lincoln Square Fountain, continuing up Main Street to end at the Train Depot. Due to current health and safety considerations, there will be no bonfire or gathering after the parade.

Although staying in your car is the safest bet for those in the parade, we ask that parade spectators practice social distancing and please wear masks. If your mask isn’t part of your costume, grab some Sharpies and decorate it — the judges will also be on the look out for the best decorated “Covid” mask.

Costume prizes will be announced on VAE’s Facebook page and website on Monday morning.

The Bennington Traditional Jazz Band will play live music from Lincoln Square, which will also be home base for the parade judges. Free grilled hot dogs, courtesy of Powers Market, will be distributed by members of the Norshaft Lions Club. Pangaea will be open and will feature coffee from Angelica and The Roasted Bean Espresso bar, along with new treats from their patisserie. Plan on dinner-to-go, or eat outside at Marigold’s Pizza, Kevin’s, or Pangaea for a great dinner out!

This year, the sponsors ask parade participants to make a donation of $10-$20 per vehicle. This will greatly help VAE put on this free, annual event during a particularly tough year for organizations. Donations will be collected on the way out through the stone columns of the College’s gate as we meander down into the Village.