New Bedford South End Halloween Parade Marks 57 Years

One of my favorite things about community is tradition. The smallest of traditions can hold a community together.

That's why I love hearing about a South End tradition that is still happening in New Bedford after 57 years. The South End Halloween Parade will take place once again this Halloween night.

A South End Tradition That Spans Generations

The parade begins at Hazelwood Park and progresses to Clegg Field where the winners of the costume contest will be announced. Home to the S.E.Y.A.A., Clegg Field is certainly in the conversation for one of the nicest and best-maintained youth baseball fields on the SouthCoast.

A Look Back at the Parade's First Year

Incredible how long this tradition has lasted. To give you some perspective, when organizers first came together to get the Halloween Parade in motion, Lyndon Johnson was President of the United States, gas was .33 cents a gallon, The Monkees released a new song called "I'm a Believer," and the seventh and final season of The Andy Griffith Show was the biggest hit on television.

Most entertaining of all, hosts of the parade and City Councilors Ryan Pereira and Ian Abreu weren't even born yet!

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Join the Fun This Halloween Night

Join the parade for music, hot chocolate and plenty of candy for everyone.

The South End Halloween Parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and is sponsored by Councilor at Large Ian Abreu Clark's Point Neighborhood Association and Ward 6 City Councilor Ryan Pereira.

It's a spooky good New Bedford tradition that proves good, old fashioned fun never goes out of style.