PRINCETON, N.J. – Expecting carloads of parade-goers, D&R Greenway Land Trust is planning their annual Halloween Day Masquerade Parade for Sunday at historic St. Michael’s Farm Preserve in Hopewell.
— Courtesy photo
Presenting birds, bats, and bugs…Oh my! D&R Greenway’s Masquerade Parade will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 31. To pre-register your carload of parade-goers, visit www.drgreenway.org, or come straight to the Hopewell Elementary School parking lot and register during the event. The donation is $25 per carload. Ticket purchases and Sponsorships support the land trust’s mission of preserving land and inspiring a conservation ethic now and forever.
A dozen colorful and unusual ‘floats’ decorated to the event theme, “Birds, Bats and Bugs”, will be positioned along the St. Michaels Farm Preserve roadway. Celebrate Halloween while enjoying the beautiful fall backdrop of St. Michaels Farm Preserve.
Participating ‘floats’ include FUTURO Program at Latin American Legal Defense of Education Fund (LALDEF); Hopewell Township Police Department; Bahai’is of Central New Jersey; Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer; Bordentown Historical Society; InnerSpace Taijiquan; Washington Crossing Audubon Society; SPLASH Steamboat Floating Classroom/D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Kayak Program; D&R Greenway Land Trust and The Chubby’s Project.
Sunday’s Parade offers a safe way to Trick or Treat as guests will remain in their cars, which they are encouraged to have decorated in line with the theme. Passengers are also encouraged to create lively signs identifying their favorite bird, bat, or bug along with a fun fact about their favorite creature.
Each carload will be given a nature-themed goody bag of surprises, including a newly published children’s book. Vehicles will “line up” in the Hopewell Elementary School parking lot and migrate to St. Michaels Farm Preserve at the Princeton Avenue entrance closest to town (Hopewell).
Every parade has live music: Ours will feature and our very own musician, Bill Flemer and Friends on D&R Greenway’s float. See best-selling cartoonist Patrick McDonnell’s specially themed Halloween painting and renowned artist James Fiorentino’s Little Brown Bat on display!
This drive-through, reverse parade will be held light rain or shine. If severe weather cancels our Parade, we will host a Zoom party on Friday evening, November 5th, where each group will present their creations and the audience will vote for best “float!”
BACKGROUND:
D&R Greenway Land Trust, an accredited nonprofit, has reached a new milestone of over 21,000 acres of land preserved since 1989. By preserving land for life and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for our neighbors—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway’s mission is centered in connecting land with people from all walks of life.
Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages and www.drgreenway.org to learn more.