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[[image:Gory Daze 2008 Poster.jpg|thumb|400px]]
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[[Image:Nerf ball halloween 12.png|thumb|400px|Isn't This Pretty! Your'e ugly. But you can be pretty too, if you come to our parade and Masqu'd Ball!]]
  
== Schedule of Events ==
+
==Schedule of Events==
  
The Rio Blanco Social Club announces the 8th Annual Halloween Parade and Ball in White River Junction Saturday, 31st October, 2009.  
+
The Rio Blanco Social Club announces the '''11th Annual Halloween Parade and Nerf Ball''' in White River Junction Saturday, 27th October, 2012, c.e.  
  
===Pre-parade Madness!===
+
===Pre-parade Madness starts at 5 p.m.!===
  
'''6 pm—'''Doors open at the Main Street Museum (58 Bridge Street), for cider, a Bouncy Castle, conviviaity and And of course—''doughnuts on strings! doughnuts on strings! doughnuts on strings!''  
+
*'''5 pm—Doors open at the Main Street Museum''' (58 Bridge Street), for cider, a Bouncy Castle, conviviality and And of course—''doughnuts on strings! doughnuts on strings! doughnuts on strings!''  
  
Local puppetry artists Ria Blass, Gabriel Q and students from The Center for Cartoon Studies have created a special "Monster Petting Zoo". Kids of all ages can look forward to petting the "monsters" and feeding them peanuts!
+
*'''6 p.m.—Town of Hartford Parks and Rec Department "Egg Haunt"''' in Veterans Memorial Park, across Bridge Street from the Museum! Come and find eggs, candy and more from 6 to 8 p.m.
  
Town of Hartford Parks and Rec Department "Egg Haunt" in Veterans Memorial Park, across Bridge Street from the Museum! Come and find eggs, candy and more from 6 to 8 p.m.
+
*'''Monsters!''' Local students from The Center for Cartoon Studies have created a special "Monster Petting Zoo". Kids of all ages can look forward to petting the "monsters", making them do tricks of skill and agility and feeding them peanuts!
  
'''7 pm—'''The party heats up at the Museum, where revelers will mix and mingle in their costumes to live "honkey punk" music the one and only Pariah Beat, live fire performances, fire spinning, fire eating, and the Fire Organ!
+
*'''Haunted House''' also from 5 to 8 see the scary downstairs of a former Fire Station. Join volunteers from the Junction Teen Center and their Haunted House on the first floor.
 +
 
 +
*'''7 pm—'''The party heats up at the Museum, where revelers will mix and mingle in their costumes to live "honkey punk" music the one and only Pariah Beat, live fire performances, fire spinning, The Raqettes' Exquisite Belly Dancing!
  
 
'''All Pre-parade Madness events are FREE!'''
 
'''All Pre-parade Madness events are FREE!'''
  
===King and Queen for the Parade, Celebrity Guests and Home-Coming Queen? and King? for the CCS!===
+
===Parade!===
 
 
This year features the crowning of King and Queen for the Parade and Ball with Royal Attendants; the welcoming for the Celebrity Guests (And guess what? They Dead!) as well as the 2nd annual crowning of Home Coming King and Queen of the Center for Cartoon Studies! They've been appointed and anointed by last years King and Queen. Find out who will carry on the tradition this year.
 
<br>Very scary, but at least its Free!
 
  
===Parade!===
+
*'''8pm—'''The Parade takes to the streets!—lead by Lil' Orphans Brass Band, a walking, musical party winds its way through the Upper Valley's favorite ghost town, navigating the terrifying underpass and the adjacent beautiful (formerly sunken) garden and other vacant store-fronts, before snaking along South Main Street to the Tupelo Music Hall for the '''Nerf Ball!'''
  
'''8pm—'''The Parade takes to the streets!—lead by Lil' Orphans Brass Band, the Halloween Hay Wagon and rolling Fire Organ, a walking, musical party winds its way through the Upper Valley's favorite ghost town, navigating the terrifying underpass and the adjacent beautiful sunken garden before snaking along South Main Street to turn around and end up at the Tip Top Cafe for the Odd Ball.
+
===The Nerf Ball!===
<br>'''And Best of all, its FREE!'''
 
  
===Psychic Fair===
+
*'''9 p.m.''' brings our '''Nerf Ball''' and a good many revelers to the Tupelo Music Hall, South Main Street, White River Jct. Beginning with a set of hot jazz from the Lil' Orphans Brass Band at 9 p.m., the evenings Ball brings together: DJs, dancing, the local paparazzi, scary refreshments and cash bar, dance floor VJ by MEM, festive (and a little Satanic) decorations courtesy the Center for Cartoon Studies, and much more. Be inspired by the costumes, the old friends you'll see (but maybe not recognize) and the new folks to greet you...check out the "eye candy"!
Join us for readings, fortunes, tarot, crystal balls, spirit aura photography and more in the Tip Top Pottery studio, directly across from the Tip Top Cafe, from 8 to 11 p.m.!
 
  
===The Magic 8 Ball!===
+
Parade and all other festivities are free, the Ball is '''$10!''' All ages, 21 with ID to drink. Cash only!
  
'''9 p.m.''' brings our '''Magic Eight Ball''' at the TipTop Cafe, 85 North Main Street, in the Tip Top Cafe. Beginning with a set of hot jazz from the Lil' Orphans Brass Band at 9 p.m., the evenings Ball brings together: Hot tunes, DJs, dancing, scary refreshments, dance floor light projections, festive (and a little Satanic) decorations, and much more. Be inspired by the costumes, the old friends you'll see (but maybe not recognize) and the new folks to greet you...check out the "eye candy"!
+
===The Band===
 +
Swing and Sway to the brassy jazz beat of the '''Lil' Orphans Brass Band''', an offshoot of the '''New Orleans Brass Band Project'''. This enlarged line-up will march and romp toward the rear of our parade, spurring us on to greater and greater acts of mystery, beauty and who-knows-what else!  
 +
<br>Band members are:
  
Parade and all other festivities are free, the '''Magic 8 Ball''' is '''$10! $5 for kids!''' All ages, 21 with ID to drink.
+
*Dan DeWalt, trombone
 +
*Tim Ellis, sousaphone
 +
*Julian Gerstin, bass drum
 +
*Ron Kelley, saxophone
 +
*Pete Simoneaux, snare drum
 +
*Bill Shontz, clarinet
 +
*Scott Sizer, trumpet
  
==See some of our Publicity==
+
==See some of our Publicity from Past Years==
 
===See the Article in ''Upper Valley Life'' Magazine!===
 
===See the Article in ''Upper Valley Life'' Magazine!===
 
[http://www.uppervalleylife.com/pdf/halloween.pdf Sonja Hakala did a great write-up about the Whole Big Mess. See it here!]
 
[http://www.uppervalleylife.com/pdf/halloween.pdf Sonja Hakala did a great write-up about the Whole Big Mess. See it here!]
  
===See Last Year's 7Days Vid!===
+
===See the ''7Days'' Vid!===
 
http://www.7dvt.com/2008gory-daze
 
http://www.7dvt.com/2008gory-daze
  
 
==What It Is==
 
==What It Is==
 
 
Crowds! Sparkles! Parade! Music! Giant Puppets! And amazing costumes!  
 
Crowds! Sparkles! Parade! Music! Giant Puppets! And amazing costumes!  
 +
<br>White River Junction's annual Gory Daze Halloween Parade and Costume Ball is coming up and the (officially anonymous) members of the Rio Blanco Social Club would like to extend a cordial invite to You—to Everyone, young and old alike! People ask if the parade is suitable for children, and we say, "Why Certainly!" Please bring the whole family. Altho there probably will be men wearing dresses in the parade. (But believe me, the man wearing a dress will be one of the Least Scary things you will see that night!)
 +
<br>This year the Big Night, will be the '''Saturday, the 27th of October!'''
 +
<br>White River Junction—one of the ten best small ghost-towns in American—will be buzzing that night, starting at 5 p.m. at the Main Street Museum, with a Monster Petting Zoo, Belly Dancing, Pariah Beat Band, a Bouncy Castle, conviviality and Madness!
 +
<br>Then at 8. p.m. “Vermont’s Favorite Ghost Town” trots out its finest with costumes, music and more fire and music and drumming in the streets. We usually circle around town a few times and then at 9 p.m. end up at the American Legion Hall for the Grand Ball. This years theme:
  
White River Junction's annual Gory Daze Halloween Parade and Costume Ball is coming up and the (officially anonymous) members of the Rio Blanco Social Club would like to extend a cordial invite to You—to Everyone!
+
:'''The 11th Annual Gory Daze Parade and Nerf Ball!'''
 
 
This year the Big Night, will be the '''Saturday, Halloween night, the 31st of October!'''
 
 
 
White River Junction—one of the ten best small ghost-towns in American—will be buzzing that night, starting at 6 p.m. at the Main Street Museum, with a Monster Petting Zoo, Fire Spinners, Pariah Beat Band, a Bouncy Castle, conviviality and Royalty!
 
 
 
Then at 8. p.m. “Vermont’s Favorite Ghost Town” trots out its finest with costumes, music and more horse drawn Hay Wagon ride, fire and music and drumming in the streets. We usually circle around town a few times and then at 9 p.m. end up at the Tip-Top cafe for a Grand Ball. This years theme:
 
 
 
:'''The 8th annual Gory Daze Parade and Glamorous Magic Eight Ball!'''
 
  
 
The Museum Pre-parade is free!
 
The Museum Pre-parade is free!
Line 69: Line 69:
  
 
==History of the Spectacle==
 
==History of the Spectacle==
The first year we were about 50 people. A couple years ago over 200 people showed up and allegedly someone called the police to report a “riot”! While this was a thrilling review for the organizers it was also a good lesson and now we have police escort. This is a walking parade. If you come, you will be in it. People of all ages and species participate: adults, kids, teenagers, grandparents, dogs, gorillas, drag queens, everybody.
+
The first year we were about 50 people. A couple years ago over 200 people showed up and allegedly someone called the police to report a “riot”! While this was a thrilling review for the organizers it was also a good lesson and now we have a police escort. The town of Hartford joined in the fun several years ago with their Egg Haunt, which is a fun way to entertain kids, and get them to consume a lot of corn sweetener at the same time! This is a walking parade. If you come, you can be in it! People of all ages and species participate: dogs, adults, kids, teenagers, grandparents, pot belly pigs, gorillas, drag queens, everybody! Folks set up tents along the parade route to watch, and even hand out hot cider. Check out the scene when the parade makes it way past the bingo hall, and revelers stroll through the aisles and Trick or Treat with the Bingo players. Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate. For instance, last year, 2011, there was a real blizzard on our Halloween parade. This year we are saying that the weather will never be as bad as it was in 2011. Are we tempting fate? Come and see on the 27th! The parade is held rain or shine, snow or no snow. Freezing temps or not! We hand out umbrellas.
  
 
==Is it for Families, or Kids?==
 
==Is it for Families, or Kids?==
 
===Answer: Its for Both!===
 
===Answer: Its for Both!===
 
 
We have a unique town here in Rio Blanco and a unique parade. Theres plenty of things for kids to enjoy, especially at the pre-parade reception at the Museum. Bouncy Castle, bobbing for Apples (or other things, just you wait and see!) and of course ''Doughnuts on Striiiiiinnngggs!''  
 
We have a unique town here in Rio Blanco and a unique parade. Theres plenty of things for kids to enjoy, especially at the pre-parade reception at the Museum. Bouncy Castle, bobbing for Apples (or other things, just you wait and see!) and of course ''Doughnuts on Striiiiiinnngggs!''  
 
+
<br>The parade and its revelers resemble New Orleans denizens, but they are usually clothed. Except for an occasional boy wearing gold paint. (And not much else.) But since its public, and in Vermont, and usually very cold that night, its pretty tame. The dance party starts at 9 p.m. and ''is'', for that reason, an adult thing. 18+ to attend.  
The parade itself will have a hay-ride this year, def kid stuff, but lot of adults join in with outlandish costumes, music-making, drumming and more! Just think, if adults enjoy it, the kids will think its really cool!
 
 
 
The dance party after starts at 9 p.m. and is an adult thing. 18+ to attend.  
 
 
 
 
----
 
----
 
 
<br>For more info please email us '''info@mainstreetmuseum.org'''  
 
<br>For more info please email us '''info@mainstreetmuseum.org'''  
 
<br>Or contact the Main Street Museum '''802.356.2776'''
 
<br>Or contact the Main Street Museum '''802.356.2776'''
Line 89: Line 83:
 
===Parking:===  
 
===Parking:===  
 
Parking will be readily available on downtown streets, at the Courthouse, VFW/Legion Hall, Church Street and Municipal Building Lots.  
 
Parking will be readily available on downtown streets, at the Courthouse, VFW/Legion Hall, Church Street and Municipal Building Lots.  
<br>There will be '''Absolutely NO PARKING next door at the Watershed Studios or at the Home Comfort Warehouse!'''. We will mark the areas with yellow caution tape.
+
<br>There will be '''Absolutely NO PARKING next door!''' If you park to the side or rear of the Museum you risk TOWING AT OWNERS EXPENSE!''' by our neighbors!
<br>'''Again, NO PARKING AT EITHER OF OUR NEIGHBORS HERE ON BRIDGE STREET, either to the side, or in back of the Museum! if you park to the side or rear of the Museum you risk TOWING AT OWNERS EXPENSE!''' by our neighbors!  
 
 
<br>Please use the front driveway of the Main Street Museum for 15 minute pickup and drop off services only. The parking lot by the Museum riverside will be reserved for people only, no cars!
 
<br>Please use the front driveway of the Main Street Museum for 15 minute pickup and drop off services only. The parking lot by the Museum riverside will be reserved for people only, no cars!
  
== Parade Details for 2008==
+
==Parade Details for 2011==
 
 
* volunteers! volunteers are needed to watch our bouncy castle, help as staff (bouncers, clean up) at the dance party, and act as parade marshals. these are all fun jobs and they include a free ticket to the ball! let us know if you can help. 802.356.2776. dff@mainstreetmuseum.org
 
 
 
* Tarot readers needed for the main street museum tarot table.
 
  
* Sequence of the Parade. If youd like to know beforehand, heres the parade sequence: 1) police escort, front. 2) bagpipes. 3) hayride, with homecoming king and queen. 4) fire organ. 5) revelers and costumed denizens of the underworld, Kings and Queens and Royal Courts, Celebrity Guests, politicians, garden friends, the good the bad and the ugly! 6) pariah beat band with help from assorted roving musicians. 7) police escort, rear.
+
*'''Volunteers!''' Volunteers are needed to watch over our bouncy castle, help as staff (bouncers, clean up at the Museum and at the Tip Top Cafe), act as parade marshals, and help with a lot of other fun stuff. All helpers receive a free ticket to the Ball! let us know if you can help. 802.356.2776. info@mainstreetmuseum.org
  
* the parade route: leaves museum at 8 pm. travels under the underpass, left on main street. wave to revolution. follow south main street and wave to the coolidge! down south main to the freight house. turn around in parking lot. back up south main, left on gates street. Right on Church Street. Say Howdy to Fancy Felix and onto the Tip Top Cafe.
+
*'''Sequence of the Parade'''. If you'd like to know beforehand, here's the parade sequence: 1) police escort, front; 2) Parade Marshall; 3) bagpipes; 4) Celebrity Guests; 5) Lil Orphans Brass Band with help from assorted roving musicians; 6) revelers and costumed denizens of the underworld, politicians, garden friends, the good the bad and the ugly! 7) police escort, rear.
  
* There are masks a'plenty here at the Museum and assorted costume paraphernalia. Borrow it for free!
+
*'''The Parade Route''': leaves Museum at 8 pm. travels right, proceeds under the underpass, left on Main street. Wave to Revolution. Follow South Main Street and trick or treat at the Coolidge. Then right on Gates Street to Church Street. Then down North and South Main again to the Tupelo Music Hall. Say Howdy to the Hotel Coolidge, Fancy Felix, the Upper Valley Food Coop, and the Bingo Hall on the way. Dance. See and Be Seen!
  
* Weather report for saturday: TBA
+
* There are masks a'plenty here at the Museum and assorted costume paraphernalia. Borrow it for free!
 +
* Weather report for Saturday: TBA
  
Happy Halloween!
+
Happy Halloween! —  ''May it please you,'' '''—The Rio Blanco Social Club'''
 
 
----
 
 
 
'''Special Note:''' unfortunately, the Museum and our patrons continue to have problems with a neighbor, Bob, who works for our nieghbors here on Bridge Street and claims to have authority over parking and security in the area. (He wears a cap and is shadowed by his partner Elizabeth.) '''Niether of these individuals has any authority over parking, or any connection to the Main Street Museum, our friends or the sponsors of the Gory Daze Parade and Ball. The Museum recommends ignoring them. If this doesnt work, the Museum recommends calling 911. The Hartford PD are aware of this situation, and suggest calling them sooner, rather than later, when dealing with any situations which might arise. Sorry for the trouble. —The Management.
 
 
 
----
 
 
 
See you on Halloween!
 
''May it please you,'' '''—The Rio Blanco Social Club'''
 
  
 
[[image:Mothballfront07.jpg|thumb|Our "Mothball" in 2007.]]
 
[[image:Mothballfront07.jpg|thumb|Our "Mothball" in 2007.]]
  
 
==Past Halloween Publicity and Posters==
 
==Past Halloween Publicity and Posters==
 +
*[[2011 Gory Daze Parade and Dust Ball]]
 +
*[[2010 Gory Daze Parade and Curve Ball]]
 +
*[[Halloween and Odd Ball!|2008 Gory Daze "Odd Ball"]]
 
*[[2007 Gory Daze "Moth Ball"]]
 
*[[2007 Gory Daze "Moth Ball"]]
 
*[[2006 Gory Daze 5th Annual Halloween Costume Parade and Dance Party]]
 
*[[2006 Gory Daze 5th Annual Halloween Costume Parade and Dance Party]]
Line 128: Line 112:
 
*[[2002 The Wizard of Wonderland]]
 
*[[2002 The Wizard of Wonderland]]
  
==Sponsors in 2008==
+
==Our Sponsors for 2011!==
 +
*[[Agela Santavicca]]
 
*[[The Baker's Studio]]
 
*[[The Baker's Studio]]
*[[Ballet Studio 260]]
+
*[[Brian Quirk]]
*[[C and S Pizza]]
+
*[[C & S Pizza]]
 
*[[The Center for Cartoon Studies]]
 
*[[The Center for Cartoon Studies]]
*[[Chittenden Bank]]
+
*[[Chelsea Green Publishing]]
 
*[[Costumania]]
 
*[[Costumania]]
*[[dpf Design Inc.]]
+
*[[Coventry Catering]]
*[[Dreamland Studios]] and [[Tip-Top Media]]
+
*[[DPF Design Inc.]]
 +
*[[Elixir]]
 
*[[Fancy Felix]]
 
*[[Fancy Felix]]
 
*[[Fantasy Technicians]]
 
*[[Fantasy Technicians]]
 +
*[[Fat Hat Factory]]
 +
*[[Forrest B's]]
 +
*[[The Hanover Coop]]
 
*[[The Hotel Coolidge]]
 
*[[The Hotel Coolidge]]
*[[The Junction, Teen Center]]
+
*[[Jen Vaughn]]
 +
*[[The Junction Teen Center]]
 
*[[Junction Frame Shop]]
 
*[[Junction Frame Shop]]
 +
*[[Lampscapes]]
 
*The Main Street Museum
 
*The Main Street Museum
 
*[[Mascoma Bank]]
 
*[[Mascoma Bank]]
*[[Matt Dunne Consulting]]
+
*[[Northlight Editions]]
*[[New England Kitchen Supply]]
 
 
*[[The Ojibway Tribe]]
 
*[[The Ojibway Tribe]]
*[[Recover Store]]
+
*[[Railroad Row LLC]]
*[[Revolution]]
+
*[[Red Door Signs]]
*[[Silver Screen]]
+
*[[The Revolution]]
*[[Thomas Terry, O.D.]]
+
*[[Ronin]]
*[[Tiptop Cafe and Tucker Box]]
+
*[[The Silver Screen]]
*[[Tiptop Pottery]]
+
*[[Dr. Thomas Terry, O.D.]]
*[[Touchi]]
+
*[[Todd Steadman]]
 +
*[[TouchChi]]
 +
*[[Town of Town Hartford Parks and Rec Department]]
 
*[[Upper Valley Food Coop]]
 
*[[Upper Valley Food Coop]]
*[[Wave Reviews]]
+
 
*[[White River Development]]
+
'''Thanks to You All!'''
 +
 
 +
==[[Names of Future Rio Blanco Social Club Halloween Balls|Names of Future Balls]]; Vote Today!==
 +
 
 +
==Past Graphics==
 +
[[Image:GorydazeSM09.jpg|thumb|400px|Some of our past graphics, thanks to Brandon Ellston, 2009.]]
 +
 
 +
[[category:Halloween]]
 +
[[category:Publicity]]

Latest revision as of 07:21, 10 September 2012

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Isn't This Pretty! Your'e ugly. But you can be pretty too, if you come to our parade and Masqu'd Ball!

Schedule of Events

The Rio Blanco Social Club announces the 11th Annual Halloween Parade and Nerf Ball in White River Junction Saturday, 27th October, 2012, c.e.

Pre-parade Madness starts at 5 p.m.!

  • 5 pm—Doors open at the Main Street Museum (58 Bridge Street), for cider, a Bouncy Castle, conviviality and And of course—doughnuts on strings! doughnuts on strings! doughnuts on strings!
  • 6 p.m.—Town of Hartford Parks and Rec Department "Egg Haunt" in Veterans Memorial Park, across Bridge Street from the Museum! Come and find eggs, candy and more from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Monsters! Local students from The Center for Cartoon Studies have created a special "Monster Petting Zoo". Kids of all ages can look forward to petting the "monsters", making them do tricks of skill and agility and feeding them peanuts!
  • Haunted House also from 5 to 8 see the scary downstairs of a former Fire Station. Join volunteers from the Junction Teen Center and their Haunted House on the first floor.
  • 7 pm—The party heats up at the Museum, where revelers will mix and mingle in their costumes to live "honkey punk" music the one and only Pariah Beat, live fire performances, fire spinning, The Raqettes' Exquisite Belly Dancing!

All Pre-parade Madness events are FREE!

Parade!

  • 8pm—The Parade takes to the streets!—lead by Lil' Orphans Brass Band, a walking, musical party winds its way through the Upper Valley's favorite ghost town, navigating the terrifying underpass and the adjacent beautiful (formerly sunken) garden and other vacant store-fronts, before snaking along South Main Street to the Tupelo Music Hall for the Nerf Ball!

The Nerf Ball!

  • 9 p.m. brings our Nerf Ball and a good many revelers to the Tupelo Music Hall, South Main Street, White River Jct. Beginning with a set of hot jazz from the Lil' Orphans Brass Band at 9 p.m., the evenings Ball brings together: DJs, dancing, the local paparazzi, scary refreshments and cash bar, dance floor VJ by MEM, festive (and a little Satanic) decorations courtesy the Center for Cartoon Studies, and much more. Be inspired by the costumes, the old friends you'll see (but maybe not recognize) and the new folks to greet you...check out the "eye candy"!

Parade and all other festivities are free, the Ball is $10! All ages, 21 with ID to drink. Cash only!

The Band

Swing and Sway to the brassy jazz beat of the Lil' Orphans Brass Band, an offshoot of the New Orleans Brass Band Project. This enlarged line-up will march and romp toward the rear of our parade, spurring us on to greater and greater acts of mystery, beauty and who-knows-what else!
Band members are:

  • Dan DeWalt, trombone
  • Tim Ellis, sousaphone
  • Julian Gerstin, bass drum
  • Ron Kelley, saxophone
  • Pete Simoneaux, snare drum
  • Bill Shontz, clarinet
  • Scott Sizer, trumpet

See some of our Publicity from Past Years

See the Article in Upper Valley Life Magazine!

Sonja Hakala did a great write-up about the Whole Big Mess. See it here!

See the 7Days Vid!

http://www.7dvt.com/2008gory-daze

What It Is

Crowds! Sparkles! Parade! Music! Giant Puppets! And amazing costumes!
White River Junction's annual Gory Daze Halloween Parade and Costume Ball is coming up and the (officially anonymous) members of the Rio Blanco Social Club would like to extend a cordial invite to You—to Everyone, young and old alike! People ask if the parade is suitable for children, and we say, "Why Certainly!" Please bring the whole family. Altho there probably will be men wearing dresses in the parade. (But believe me, the man wearing a dress will be one of the Least Scary things you will see that night!)
This year the Big Night, will be the Saturday, the 27th of October!
White River Junction—one of the ten best small ghost-towns in American—will be buzzing that night, starting at 5 p.m. at the Main Street Museum, with a Monster Petting Zoo, Belly Dancing, Pariah Beat Band, a Bouncy Castle, conviviality and Madness!
Then at 8. p.m. “Vermont’s Favorite Ghost Town” trots out its finest with costumes, music and more fire and music and drumming in the streets. We usually circle around town a few times and then at 9 p.m. end up at the American Legion Hall for the Grand Ball. This years theme:

The 11th Annual Gory Daze Parade and Nerf Ball!

The Museum Pre-parade is free!
The Ball is $10—($5 or kids!)

Info: For more info, and press info see:

Its all great fun, but it takes a lot of hard work (from our all-volunteer “Club”). And our talented performers, musicians and our parade permit, must be paid for. If you can support us please pledge today. We want you to be on our poster, internet and postcard advertising! (We can come around and pick up checks later. But pledge today!)

History of the Spectacle

The first year we were about 50 people. A couple years ago over 200 people showed up and allegedly someone called the police to report a “riot”! While this was a thrilling review for the organizers it was also a good lesson and now we have a police escort. The town of Hartford joined in the fun several years ago with their Egg Haunt, which is a fun way to entertain kids, and get them to consume a lot of corn sweetener at the same time! This is a walking parade. If you come, you can be in it! People of all ages and species participate: dogs, adults, kids, teenagers, grandparents, pot belly pigs, gorillas, drag queens, everybody! Folks set up tents along the parade route to watch, and even hand out hot cider. Check out the scene when the parade makes it way past the bingo hall, and revelers stroll through the aisles and Trick or Treat with the Bingo players. Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate. For instance, last year, 2011, there was a real blizzard on our Halloween parade. This year we are saying that the weather will never be as bad as it was in 2011. Are we tempting fate? Come and see on the 27th! The parade is held rain or shine, snow or no snow. Freezing temps or not! We hand out umbrellas.

Is it for Families, or Kids?

Answer: Its for Both!

We have a unique town here in Rio Blanco and a unique parade. Theres plenty of things for kids to enjoy, especially at the pre-parade reception at the Museum. Bouncy Castle, bobbing for Apples (or other things, just you wait and see!) and of course Doughnuts on Striiiiiinnngggs!
The parade and its revelers resemble New Orleans denizens, but they are usually clothed. Except for an occasional boy wearing gold paint. (And not much else.) But since its public, and in Vermont, and usually very cold that night, its pretty tame. The dance party starts at 9 p.m. and is, for that reason, an adult thing. 18+ to attend.



For more info please email us info@mainstreetmuseum.org
Or contact the Main Street Museum 802.356.2776

Posters and postcards will be available for distribution at Revolution, studio 270 in the Tip-Top Building, or the Main Street Museum, 58 Bridge Street.

Parking:

Parking will be readily available on downtown streets, at the Courthouse, VFW/Legion Hall, Church Street and Municipal Building Lots.
There will be Absolutely NO PARKING next door! If you park to the side or rear of the Museum you risk TOWING AT OWNERS EXPENSE! by our neighbors!
Please use the front driveway of the Main Street Museum for 15 minute pickup and drop off services only. The parking lot by the Museum riverside will be reserved for people only, no cars!

Parade Details for 2011

  • Volunteers! Volunteers are needed to watch over our bouncy castle, help as staff (bouncers, clean up at the Museum and at the Tip Top Cafe), act as parade marshals, and help with a lot of other fun stuff. All helpers receive a free ticket to the Ball! let us know if you can help. 802.356.2776. info@mainstreetmuseum.org
  • Sequence of the Parade. If you'd like to know beforehand, here's the parade sequence: 1) police escort, front; 2) Parade Marshall; 3) bagpipes; 4) Celebrity Guests; 5) Lil Orphans Brass Band with help from assorted roving musicians; 6) revelers and costumed denizens of the underworld, politicians, garden friends, the good the bad and the ugly! 7) police escort, rear.
  • The Parade Route: leaves Museum at 8 pm. travels right, proceeds under the underpass, left on Main street. Wave to Revolution. Follow South Main Street and trick or treat at the Coolidge. Then right on Gates Street to Church Street. Then down North and South Main again to the Tupelo Music Hall. Say Howdy to the Hotel Coolidge, Fancy Felix, the Upper Valley Food Coop, and the Bingo Hall on the way. Dance. See and Be Seen!
  • There are masks a'plenty here at the Museum and assorted costume paraphernalia. Borrow it for free!
  • Weather report for Saturday: TBA

Happy Halloween! — May it please you, —The Rio Blanco Social Club

Our "Mothball" in 2007.

Past Halloween Publicity and Posters

Our Sponsors for 2011!

Thanks to You All!

Names of Future Balls; Vote Today!

Past Graphics

Some of our past graphics, thanks to Brandon Ellston, 2009.