The parade is largely a spontaneous event as individual marchers can just show up in costume at the starting point without registering or paying anything.
The new management introduced more adult elements into the event including a Halloween ball after the parade.
A devil sat at the top of the Washington Square arch where it released balloons and slid down a wire into the fountain.
[12] In 1990, New York University and Manhattan Community Board 2 begin hosting an unrelated Children's Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village in the afternoons in Washington Square.
[17] Less than seven weeks after the September 11 attacks in 2001, the parade was broadcast worldwide and was an indication that New York was bouncing back.
[20] Similarly, less than 8 weeks after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, more than 8,000 storm evacuees attended a funeral procession tribute as part of the parade.
[23][24] In 2001, the parade presented a work of puppetry that would become celebrated for its artistry, and remembered in the city's history.
Organizers believed the parade would give the city a much-needed emotional release, reform the community, and help it to begin the healing process.
Although no one was certain the parade would take place, designer Sophia Michahelles conceived of a new theme, Phoenix Rising, to galvanize the spirit of New York in the wake of the tragedy.
The animated creation was mechanically configured to spread its wings and rise out of fiery ashes, represented by flickering lanterns lifted on poles, encircling the parading figure.
In light of the widely established community relationships which Fleming had cultivated, and the parade's long tradition, Mayor Rudy Giuliani insisted it go on.
"[citation needed] The parade is also themed in the video game Tycoon City: New York, published in 2006.