Nevada SAG-AFTRA members proudly carried the union banner in the Fifth Annual Las Vegas Halloween Parade on Oct. 31. This was the fourth year that the Nevada Local participated as event sponsors.
The annual Las Vegas Halloween Parade was founded by Cory Mervis, a New York SAG-AFTRA member, after she moved to Las Vegas in 2009. Having grown up in New York, some of her fondest memories were of the Halloween parades and events there. Once she realized that Las Vegas had no such event, she made it her mission to start one. On Oct. 31, 2010, she launched the Las Vegas Halloween parade downtown on 4th Street. The parade was designed to be a family-friendly, community-building event that allows anyone in costume to be a part of the parade at no charge. The event expenses are completely paid for by the sponsors. In 2013, the parade route was moved to its current location, starting on Fremont Street at 12th Street and ending at 6th Street downtown.
SAG-AFTRA Nevada Local members walk the parade carrying the union's banner. Photo by Bobbie Wolff
The SAG-AFTRA Nevada Local participates as a sponsor in the parade for three reasons: To contribute to keeping this a free community event; to be visible as an active organization in the Las Vegas area; and to be a part of a family-friendly event together.
To accommodate SAG-AFTRA members that were unable to walk the six-block parade route, a small float called Cleopatra’s Barge followed the members carrying the banner. Those riding this year’s float included Nevada Local President Barbara Grant and Secretary Mary Ann Hebinck.
Many of the Art Cars that participate in the parade are regularly seen at the Burning Man event in Northern Nevada, including a fire-breathing dragon that came all the way from Detroit to participate in this year’s parade.
This item was originally featured in the December 2014 local newsletter.
News
- Tags:
- Local News
- Newsletter