Upwards of 10,000 people are expected for Rutland’s 56th annual Halloween parade, Saturday evening. But the 90-minute cavalcade of costumes, floats and candy is just one of many holiday events going on in the city.
For those who want to burn off some calories before all the trick-or-treating, Rutland is hosting its annual Halloween 5K, where runners are encouraged to come in costume.
The 5K starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, leaving plenty of time to go home, shower and come back for a free pre-parade cookout downtown beginning at4 p.m.
The big event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and April Cioffi of the Rutland City Recreation Department says the skeleton-clad members of Drum Journeys of the Earth will once again lead the historic parade.
“They set the tone of the parade. They build up the excitement. They let their drums beat into your whole being as they walk by and they really start the show,” says Cioffi.
Seventy entrants including 10 bands will wind their way through downtown Rutland, ending on Merchants Row. That’s where the newest city mural will be unveiled; a wall-sized Halloween themed painting by artist Kathryn Wiegers.
