Saturday 29 September 2018

ANAHEIM FALL FESTIVAL AND HALLOWEEN PARADE

Anaheim plays host every October to a fun-filled Halloween tradition. The Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade take place this year on Saturday, Oct. 27. The parade transforms downtown Anaheim into a family-friendly haven with a nighttime pageant of ghosts, goblins, jack-o’-lanterns and witches. The 1.5-mile parade lights up the darkened streets of Anaheim beginning at 6 p.m.

The 95-year tradition began in 1923 and this year features Grand Marshal Elmer Thill, who hasn't missed a single parade. The 104-year-old is Anaheim's oldest lifelong resident and attended his first festival when he was just a young boy of 9.

Like other years, 2018 welcomes a new entry replicating a historic float from the past. “Anaheim Short Line Trolley” dates back to 1948 and was built by volunteers who painstakingly re-created the orange roof, stove pipe chimney and bell.

The self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Americana” Charles Phoenix is expected to rejoin the parade this year. The pop culture aficionado and author of “Addicted to Americana” appears atop his very own float: a re-creation of his decadent Cherpumple dessert, an epic tower of cherry, pumpkin and apple pies baked into different layers of cake.

The parade plays to nostalgic sensibilities with classic 1950s and 1960s automobiles, vintage hearses, marching bands, and a variety of floats and characters that evoke the excitement of “Trick-or-Treat”. Expect other old favourites to return to the parade route, including Andy Anaheim, the "Flying Sasser,” Rocket Witch and Pumpkin Man, the forest of Grumpy Trees and the "Modjeska Maiden" jungle boat.

Before the parade steps off, enjoy the daytime festival with the whole family. Vintage Halloween-themed carnival games, a giant Ferris wheel, fall foods, artists and spooky vendors will deliver hours of entertainment. Finally, don't miss a live performance from Anaheim teen Sean Oliu, recently cast in a reboot of the “Mickey Mouse Club” franchise.

The Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade take place in Downtown Anaheim on Saturday, Oct. 27. For more information, visit anaheimfallfestival.org.

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