Canceled: Rutland Halloween Parade, trunk or treat offered

UPDATE: Oct. 31
“After a thorough process the parade organizers announce the City of Rutland’s Halloween Parade has been canceled tonight due to multiple factors,” Rutland Rec stated on their website, on Oct. 31, Halloween. “We have had a large number of our entries pull out because of the weather prior to this email. The forecast varies from station to station, but the NOAA has issued a hazardous weather statement with 100% chance of rain throughout the day and into the evening.”

In place of the parade, the Rutland Recreation and Parks Department will hold a free indoor Trunk or Treat at the Rutland Recreation Community Center from 4-6 p.m., Oct. 31. Families are encouraged to come and pick up candy and show off their costumes.

The 2021 mystery Jack O’ Lantern will also be at the Trunk or Treat event! Come see if your guesses were correct and get your picture taken with this year’s Jack O’ Lantern.

61st Annual Rutland Halloween Parade Postponed to Sunday, Oct. 31 at 6:30 p.m.

The City of Rutland’s Halloween Parade will be postponed until Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

“The forecast varies from station to station, but the NOAA has issued a hazardous weather statement with rain and high winds for this evening,” the Rutland Rec Dept. stated, Saturday. “All of the participants in the parade put in a huge amount of effort into their entries and we hope to see many of them tomorrow night… We are keeping an eye on tomorrow night’s weather as well and will send notice by 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31 with any updates to parade participants as well as posted on rutlandrec.com and corresponding social media accounts. Please understand that this is a massive undertaking in all aspects and this decision was made through a thorough process.”

All line-up, candy distribution, and start times remain the same for the 31st.

Rutland Halloween Parade organizers increase safety with pre-parade treats

RUTLAND—Rutland Recreation & Parks Dept. is excited to announce that it will be increasing safety procedures during the Rutland Halloween parade. Beginning this year, candy and Halloween treats will now be distributed along the parade route in prepackaged bags by volunteers before the floats and entries start their journey. Individual floats will not be handing out candy or Halloween treats during the parade. This will enhance the experience for parade participants by allowing all members to actively engage in their float and performance while also allowing for spectators to enjoy the parade safely from the sidelines.

Pre-parade candy and Halloween treat bags will be distributed along the parade route beginning at 6:15 p.m. at the intersection of Strongs Avenue and Madison Avenue and will continue north on Strongs Avenue, taking a right onto Wales Street, a left onto West Street and another left onto Merchants Row. The 61st Annual Halloween Parade will start to move at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30.

If there are extra treat bags after the parade, they will be available for pick-up at the Rutland Recreation Community Center (134 Community Drive, Rutland) Sunday, Oct. 31 between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Please check rutlandrec.com or call to confirm availability.

For more information about the Rutland Recreation and Parks Dept. visit rutlandrec.com.