For two decades, the Oregon Hill Halloween Parade has been proof that community doesn’t need permission to exist. Every year, thousands of neighbors and artists spill into the streets with puppets, lanterns, hand-made costumes and signs, a homespun procession that’s equal parts protest, pageant, and block party. There’s no corporate sponsor, no barricades, just the rhythm of drums and laughter echoing through one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.
Photographer Michael Simon captures what makes this night matter: the faces in the crowd, the blur of movement, the joy of recognizing yourself in the chaos. In his black-and-white shots, the parade feels timeless, where Richmond’s DIY spirit takes physical form. It’s messy, loud, inclusive, and deeply local. For a few hours each Halloween, Oregon Hill becomes a reminder that our best traditions aren’t built from budgets or branding, but from people showing up, together.
We would like to thank Lily Lamberta and All The Saints Theater Company for their continued efforts in keeping this grassroots tradition alive. Donations are still being accepted to ensure the parade continues for years to come, supporting the artists, neighbors, and volunteers who make it possible. To donate, you can go HERE.
Also, you can read The Richmonders excellent piece on the behind the scenes process HERE.
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At a time when media ownership is increasingly concentrated among corporations and the wealthy, RVA Magazine has remained one of Richmond’s few independent voices. Since 2005, the magazine has provided grassroots coverage of the city’s artists, musicians, and communities, documenting the culture that defines Richmond beyond the headlines.
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