Over 2k performers to hit downtown Vancouver on Halloween

On Oct. 18 and Oct. 19, come out before your Halloween parties, and kick off Halloween celebration with Vancouver Halloween Parade & Expo.

For the first time in downtown Vancouver, the supernaturals, heroes and villains from films, comics and games, join the Halloween Parade with marching bands, vehicles and floats. Over 30 groups and more than 2,000 participants and Cosplayers will be on the parade, and you will be able to see performances such as B.C. Regiment Band, B.C. Motorcycle Drill Team, StarWars 501st Legion and Ghostbuster BC.

The parade route starts from Granville and Davie, goes north along Granville, turns west on Smithe, continues on Howe and finishes at Howe and Davie.

The parade is scheduled to begin at noon and ends at 3 p.m. on Oct. 19.

Two blocks away on the parade route, is the Halloween Expo, where you can meet the Alien, the Predator and celebrities from X-Files, Dragon Ball and Pokemon. The expo is from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 18 and 19, at the Grand Ballroom, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, between Nelson and Burrard, 1088 Burrard St., Vancouver.

The event is sponsored by Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and organized by International Health Council in order to bring back the family-friendly and healthy Halloween, to reduce hateful costumes especially blood and gore body parts for the young generations. Hundreds of volunteers donated their time and skills to the event. For more information about Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo, please visit www.VanHalloween.com