7th Annual OKC Gazette Halloween Parade Kicks Off In Midtown

It was a huge party is in Midtown OKC with thousands of people showed up in their best costumes for the annual Gazette's Halloween Parade.

This is the seventh year crowds have lined N.W. 10th St. and Broadway Ave. for the Oklahoma Gazette parade. Though it rained earlier on Saturday, it didn't stop this parade.

"We've done everything we can to put it on, and it's up to Mother Nature to do the rest, and this was great weather, it's a dark and stormy night. [It was] perfect for a Halloween parade," said Jeffri-Lynn Dyer, associate publisher for the Oklahoma Gazette. "Everything from floats to walking groups to groups of cars to the Oklahoma County Sheriffs, it's a great grown-up way to celebrate the holiday."

Dyer says her team has been planning the parade since April. There were 41 participants, who took center stage, all were over 18, but there was plenty of candy to go around for the kids.

"I like that there's good music and good costumes," said 11-year-old Justin Hobgood. "I liked the zombies, and it wasn't that scary it's just a cool thing for the family to do."

What also makes Gazette parade standout is it's an awesome night for people-watching.

"What's really fun is watching all the people in their own costumes as we're walking up to sit in place to watch the parade," said Cathy Gilbert, a Mustang resident. "And just watching everybody's creativity with these floats is really neat."

The Gazette says they always try to hold this parade the weekend before Halloween, so that it doesn't conflict with trick or treating and other festivities.