Every year, our small town comes alive with the spooky spirit during the annual Lions Club Halloween Parade. It is a tradition that brings together families, friends, and community members for an exciting and festive evening. 

Halloween is approaching fast, and this year the Halloween parade was held on Wednesday, October 22. Due to budget concerns, the Lions Club changed the judging categories for the 2025 season. They condensed the children’s categories from nine groups to three and required registered groups to feature six or more people.  

Additionally, every year, Newport’s clubs, civic organizations, and businesses spend weeks preparing costumes, decorations, and even floats. As everyone gathers to celebrate the Halloween season, the Newport High School marching band performs lively tunes throughout the parade, the Shriners’ cars zoom through the streets, and both the Homecoming Queen and King, and the elementary princess and prince, wave from the back of Corvettes. 

Local businesses and attractions, such as the Terror Farm, have actors parade the streets in their frightening costumes, and even the adoption center’s dogs dress up and walk with their caretakers. Here, they advertise themselves, but also make the night unforgettable.

It is a night of community spirit. Even though the parade is just a small-town tradition, it brings smiles to faces, whether it’s dressing up in your costumes, cheering from the streets, or just being there for the candy. The Lions Club Halloween Parade is the highlight of the Halloween season in Newport.