2007 Gory Daze
Halloween Parade and Dance Party

Information

The Event

The Rio Blanco Social Club announces the 6th Annual Halloween Parade and Ball in White River Junction Saturday, October 27th. In celebration of the region’s creative spirit, the growing annual crowd sparkles with amazing costume art. The party begins at 7 pm at the Main Street Musuem (58 Bridge Street), where revellers will mix and mingle in their costumes to live music, live fire performance, live petting zoo and doughnuts on strings! Then, at 8pm, the party takes to the streets winding its way through the Upper Valley’s favorite ghost town, navigating the terrifying underpass and the beautiful sunken garden before snaking south to the newest part of town, the Freight House where it will all turn around head north and end up at the Tip Top Building for the Moth Ball. Get to the Ball early (before 9pm) and get $5 off the $10 cover charge. Hot music, dancing and scary refreshments. All ages, 21 with ID to drink.

Who Comes and What Is It?

The first year there were about 50 people. A couple years ago over 200 people showed up and allegedly someone called the police to report a “riot”! While this was a thrilling review for the organizers it was also a good lesson and now we have police escort. This is a walking parade. If you come, you will be in it. Almost no one watches it! People of all ages and species participate: adults, kids, teenagers, grandparents, dogs, gorillas, drag queens, everybody.

Participating Organizations and Sponsors

Participating organizations and sponsors include: Baker's Studio, Cooler Gallery, Center for Cartoon Studies, Costumania, Elixir, Fancy Felix Costumes, Fantasy Technicians, Fitness For You, Global Health Council, Hotel Coolidge, Junction Frame Shop, Junction Frame Shop, Lampscapes, Main Street Museum, ReCover Store, Revolution, Resource Systems Group, The Silver Screen, Dr. Thomas Terry Opticians, Tip Top Cafe, Tip Top Media and Arts Building, Tip Top Pottery, TouchChi Massage Therapy, Upper Valley Food Coop, Wave Reviews, White River Development, LLC.

The History

White River Junction’s Halloween celebration began in 2002 with the artists in the Tip Top Media and Arts Building and Revolution Vintage Clothing Store. Several of the organizers are long time revelers in another river city, New Orleans. Inspired by the small Mardi Gras street parades in the French Quarter and White River’s historic downtown, the Halloween Parade was born. Eventually the loose organization that puts it all together named themselves the Rio Blanco Social Club. Each year the celebration has grown. The Halloween parade is about public creativity, a vibrant downtown, and bringing people together to do something not only memorable but little bit crazy.
For more event info call Gabriel Q at (802) 356-3254.