LGBT POV

As everyone in the world knows – Halloween in West Hollywood is virtually an LGBT holiday. Hundreds of thousands of people turn out for five hours strolling up and down Santa Monica Blvd in Boys Town, flaunting their costumes and watching the entertainment sponsored by the creative city of West Hollywood.  It is safe and fun people-watching.

West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval happens Saturday, October 31, 2009 between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood.

Something new this year. The official West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval will kickoff with a march led by members of the West Hollywood City Council and a colorful cast of characters – as if our interesting city councilmembers in their various costumes won’t be colorful enough! This will start at 6 p.m. at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Doheny Drive – and the public is encouraged to join in.

“Marchers” include – according to a WeHo press release – Vaud & The Villians, 1930s style performance group with eighteen musicians and dancers; Silk Sisters, aerial acrobatic duo; Lux Lacroix, burlesque performer; Christopher Wonder, magician; as well as fire eaters, body balancers and — ARE YOU READY – CONTORTIONISITS! OMG! Contortionists in WeHo? OK.

Anyway – this march is to highlight this year’s theme of a 19th century traveling carnival with a variety of talented stage performers. There three outdoor stages working it throughout the night.

Here’s the part you really want to know:

The quest for the most creative, outrageous and original Halloween costumes in Southern California will take place Halloween night. A team of “secret” Halloween judges will walk up and down Santa Monica Boulevard beginning at 6 p.m. and hand out wristbands that will qualify contestants for the Costume Contest finals at 9:40 p.m. that evening. The Costume Contest will take place on the “Arcade Stage” located on the corner of San Vicente Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. Costume Contest finalists will be vying for the $500 Grand Prize; $250 Second Place Prize and $100 Third Place Prize.

LGBT-favorite actress, Emmy-nominated television “personality” Ricki  Lake – who’s also now an independent filmmaker – will be crowned “Queen of the Carnaval” at the The Coronation of the Queen of the Carnaval which will begin at 8:30 p.m. on the “Arcade Stage” located at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard. Get your viewing spot early since this is an annual favorite event.

Here’s something else you need to know:  Public parking will be available at parking lots throughout WeHo but they get filled up early. Also – expect to drive around and find these streets closed for the party:

Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and Doheny Drive from 1 p.m. on Saturday through 6 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2009.

Robertson Boulevard between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard from 1 p.m. on Saturday through 6 a.m. on Sunday.

San Vicente Boulevard between Cynthia Street and Melrose Avenue from 2 p.m. on Saturday through 6 a.m. on Sunday.

La Cienega Boulevard between Holloway Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard from 6 p.m. on Saturday through 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Sunset Boulevard eastbound and westbound turn-lanes onto La Cienega Boulevard from 6 p.m. on Saturday through 7 a.m. on Sunday.

La Peer Drive eastbound turn lane onto Santa Monica       Boulevard from 3 p.m. on Saturday through 7 a.m. on Sunday.

The City of West Hollywood will suspend permit parking for the Halloween Carnaval on Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2009. HOWEVER, parking restrictions past the boundaries of WeHo will be enforced.

The City of West Hollywood will be offering a CityLine shuttle service on Halloween during the hours of 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.  The route will operate along Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and Fuller Avenue.

If you can’t make it to the show – WeHo will be broadcasting live on West Hollywood’s Citychannel 10 and streaming live on our website beginning at 9:00 p.m. October 31st!

For more information, please call (323) 848-6503.For the deaf and hard of hearing, please call (323) 848-6496.