The Northhalsted Business Alliance presented its 21st annual Halloween parade on Oct. 31, as always.
The overall theme this year was "Haunted Halsted." Festivalgoers lined up in front of barricades starting at Belmont Avenue, down Halsted Street, north to Addison Street.
Locals signed up for a costume competition that included four categories. Best Theme was won by Darren Stephens for a Little Shop of Horrors Audrey 2 costume; the Lubin family took home Best Group; the scariest were Matthew and Carla Owens with their dog Toot in all black; and Derrick Taylor walked the runway as Cinderella for Best Drag.
Grand marshals were DJ Circuit Mom and TV personality Jon Hansen, who kicked off the parade. Along with individual marchers there were large groups including a Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance team, the Chicago Spirit Brigade, Chicago Gay Men's Chorus and Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago, an LGBT movement club. Anti-Trump protestors caused a stir by shouting and holding signs to bring attention to a demonstration at Federal Plaza on Nov. 4.
Some of the sponsors for the parade were Smirnoff Vodka, MB Financial Bank, and Green Mountain Energy.
Visit NorthHalsted.com for future events in the area.
Text and photos by Jerry Nunn