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HOLMBERG: Oregon Hill’s 8th Annual All The Saints Parade

Posted at 1:22 AM, Nov 01, 2013
and last updated 2013-11-01 01:22:39-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)–Hundreds of people, if not a thousand or more, flooded the streets of Oregon Hill this Hallow’s Eve for the 8th annual All The Saints Parade – perhaps the closest Richmond has to a Mardi Gras.

The neighborhood was already crowded with trick-or-treaters who have discovered the friendly, somewhat offbeat neighborhood on the western shoulder of downtown.

But the  hundred-plus strong parade, featuring a brass band, drums and creatures and characters of every description, drew many more folks to this close-knit neighborhood that was once an all-white, blue-collar neighborhood heavy on Irish immigrants, many of whom joined the police force and fire departments.

In the past two decades, Oregon Hill has seen a growing influx of Virginia Commonwealth University students, professors, and regular old folks from all walks of life looking for historic frame houses hard to find by the James River, near center city.

That eclectic vibe matches perfectly with Halloween, several residents and visitors said this Hallow’s Eve.

Check out Mark Holmberg’s full report here: