NYC Cancels Halloween Parade

Servine Bieuzen from Paris, France wearing a Halloween costume watches as Mayor Michael Bloomberg arrives at the New York Stock Exchange as people return to work on Wall Street, October 31, 2012 as New Yorkers cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Tuesday that the annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade will be canceled for the first time in its 39-year history as the city recuperates from the devastating blow Hurricane Sandy dealt when it came ashore Monday.

"Unfortunately, we just cannot spare the manpower from the NYPD and other city agencies to host the annual Greenwich Village Halloween parade," Bloomberg told news station NY1. Although the Mayor's initial statement left open the possibility for the parade to be rescheduled, the parade's official website announced later that the event was formally cancelled.

"For the first time in our 39 year history, the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management and the NYPD have CANCELLED the parade," reported the parade's official website. "We hope that everyone who would have come to the Parade is safe and that these who can volunteer to help out at one of the Emergency Outreach Centers near you. Will will surely miss all of you. Hallelujah Halloween!"

The parade was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. tonight on 6th Ave., south of Spring St. and north of Canal.