Hundreds of costumed people take part in the greatest Halloween parade ever in New York.
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© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
Hundreds of costumed people take part in the greatest Halloween parade ever in New York.
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© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
The organizers aimed for “wild creativity.” Fifty-three bands and musical groups took part. Odilon Redon’s iconic Eye Balloon was the main theme of the parade.
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© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
Halloween or All Saints Day, which is observed on October 31, is an old Celtic holiday celebrated in the U.S. and Canada. It has spread to Europe and Russia in recent years. One of Halloween’s main symbols is the jack-o’-lantern, which supposedly wards off evil spirits.
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© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
People dress up as ghosts and goblins and go door-to-door “trick or treating” or take part in masquerades.
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© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
The Halloween parade in New York rivals New Year festivities on Times Square.
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© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
Giant puppets are essential participants in the parade.
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© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans have spent $7 billion on Halloween celebrations in 2011 versus $5.8 billion in 2010. Halloween costumes are getting ever more gorgeous and exquisite.
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© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
American adults spent an average of $72 on their costumes in 2011 versus $66 in 2010 and $42 in 2005.
