The annual Broadway Halloween Parade raised enough money to rise from the dead.
The community contributed more than $42,000 for the 2024 parade scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 19. With more than $6,100 in community donations and business sponsorships ranging from $1,000 to $7,500, organizer Luke Johnson was able to resurrect the family-friendly event. Any funds not used in this year’s parade will be reserved for next year’s, Johnson said.
In August, Johnson told The Denver Post the beloved South Broadway promenade of ghouls and goblins was in jeopardy as a result of its growing popularity.
Because of the tens of thousands of parade-goers who flock to watch costumed marchers, floats and hearses make their way down South Broadway, the city mandated parade organizers buy barricades to line the route for safety.
Johnson agreed the barricades were necessary but was shocked to see the safety precautions cost around $25,000 — more than double the budget of the previous year’s entire parade.
Johnson asked for community donations to keep the parade afloat.
“We asked the community to help save the parade and they stepped up like I’ve never seen before,” Johnson said. “We’ve never had more than a few hundred dollars from community members and we’ve never raised more than
$13,000 in a single year for sponsorships.”
Johnson said the barricades would bring a new level of safety the parade needs to continue.
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