A new petition started by Mitch Swan is asking City Council to re-instate the Halloween Carnival it quit producing during the COVID pandemic and has yet to restore. Read what the petition has to say and find the link to sign below:
The last time West Hollywood and its residents were able to enjoy one of the most beloved events in our city was back in 2019. Then COVID hit, and everyone understood the cancellation of large events due to the pandemic. However, City Council has taken that opportunity to continuously cancel the beloved Halloween Carnival for the last 3 years (without holding even one city hall meeting) and continued to put back on other major events, including WeHo Pride. City Council members complained to constituents and to the media that the event was too large to coordinate, too much of a headache to plan, and said it cost way too much money.
Despite the thousands of outcries from West Hollywood residents and businesses, they continue to cancel the carnival. Tell City Council that they need to bring back the most loved Halloween tradition in our city. It’s time to bring money back into our businesses, bring fun back into our city, and for City Council to start doing their jobs and listening to their constituents.
https://www.change.org/p/tell-weho-city-council-to-bring-back-halloween-carnival?redirect=false
We NEED to bring this event back to our city. Before the pandemic, the idea of ending it would have been a non-starter. Yes its expensive, and even inconvenient, but it pays for itself in the good will it generates for our city.
This body positivity, sexual license, and celebration of diversity epitomizes some of West Hollywood’s core principles. “According to a statement on WeHo.org, Carnaval “is rooted in the foundation of the City of West Hollywood’s diverse culture and community.” Each year, the event is a gathering of phenomenal costumes, entertainment, culture, and self-expression with a myriad of observers, revelers, exhibitionists, and performers.” https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/west-hollywood-halloween-carnaval/ So my question is, what’s changed is it no longer a part of “our foundation of our city and our divers culture and community” or are the powers at be in city hall to busy making a dog… Read more »
Bring back the Halloween Carnival!!
Carnaval.
Just FYI – The city has always spelled it CARNAVAL.
There is significant expense associated with ensuring this event can be held safely. Unfortunately the event while fun, is a security and logistical nightmare. With hundreds of thousands of attendees, it’s obvious the folks who attend are not residents of West Hollywood. I’m all for bringing it back if someone other than the taxpayers of West Hollywood are willing to foot the bill for the event.
I went into BoysTown the weekend before and Monday, this past Halloween night, and I didn’t enjoy it at all. The Halloween Carnival had always been one of the most fun things I did all year. The things that had made the Carnival a bit out-of-control in the last few years are people bringing small children and people who bring their dogs. Both the children and the dogs, I’m sure, would rather be somewhere else and it is dangerous for both them and for all of us. Kids in strollers and dogs on leashes take up a lot of space… Read more »
We never had a problem celebrating Halloween before there was a City. It was raucous, creative and VERY Gay. I am not sure that having 400,000 people show up necessarily makes for a better event. I also think you have to give credence to the concerns that the event has morphed into something that is perhaps too big to be safe.
what does Halloween have to do with being gay? I thought it was for kids.
Good grief.
Such a 20th Century mind set.
You’re not wrong at all. For years, it felt like a joyous festival but about 10-15 years ago it steadily started feeling out of control. I wish there was a way to move it to the park and charge admission like Pride, but the fun is wandering the Boulevard looking at the costumes so it would defeat the purpose. Perhaps West Hollywood, Silverlake, Downtown, Santa Monica and Culver City could each close off certain streets and have localized festivals and people could either walk to those or, if they’re so inclined, drive elsewhere?
Steve, interested to know if there is much difference to Gay pride, maybe there are differences that haven’t been made clear for people understand the decision.
The difference is that the thongs on display are usually black and orange during the Halloween Festival and rainbow colored during the Pride Festival.
This has to be brought back. It’s part of Weho’s core.
no thanks
Ham, you don’t even live in WeHo, and during the short time you did live here you were openly hostile to it … to us!
Looking at that city council there is about as much fun as a drag queen contest. Possibly a collection of people you would put on the non-invite list. Celebrate Halloween. And hopefully celebrate removing Sepi Shine as mayor