The History of the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade: a lecture by Ralph Lee

In 1974 mask maker and theater director Ralph Lee organized the first Village Halloween Parade, in conjunction with the Theater for a New City. It was conceived as a mile-long theatre event, from Westbeth in the West Village to Washington Square, consisting of masked and costumed performers, celebrants and bands of musicians marching in the streets, with additional performers inhabiting balconies, rooftops and fire escapes along the route.

The Village Halloween Parade featured Lee’s masks and giant puppets but encouraged other groups and individuals to put their imaginations in high gear and bring their own unique creations to join the parade. Lee directed the parade for its first twelve years.