Wonderama “added meaning to Halloween-ing” during the “Biggest Halloween Parade in History” that took place in New York City’s Times Square on October 30th, 2021 to celebrate Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. The parade included 50 hometown Grand Marshals, music and celebrities featured on the most recognized billboard in the world in the heart of NYC.

The virtual parade was a live stream broadcast around the globe. 

Selected Grand Marshals were showcased as representatives of their hometowns on the bigger-than-life billboard in Times Square for the broadcast in their Halloween costumes, representing their communities from all over the world. 

“This year, Halloween meant more than ever and Wonderama and UNICEF USA wanted communities to ‘add meaning to their Halloween-ing’ by helping to end the global COVID-19 pandemic through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF,” shares Wonderama CEO Charles E. Armstrong.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF provides a way for families, schools and all who love Halloween to support communities around the world by raising funds and safely celebrating. This year, funds raised support UNICEF’s lifesaving work to get COVID-19 vaccines where they are needed most – for communities, healthcare workers and families.

“We were pleased to share in the holiday spirit and celebrate Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF with Wonderama in Times Square this year,” said UNICEF USA President & CEO, Michael J. Nyenhuis. “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is America’s longest running youth engagement campaign and as this beloved tradition evolves into a fully digital experience, we were excited for everyone  to participate and support our lifesaving work to distribute COVID-19 vaccines where they are needed most.” 

The parade included live performances by an amazingly talented line up of celebrities including:

David Osmond – Host of Wonderama for six years running

Coco and Breezy – Co-Hosts of Wonderama

Host Josh Silverman

Guest Hosts McKenzi Brooke and Reif Harrison

Bootsy Collins

Sophia Angelica

Harley Skull

AnimazeX

Aro Rose

Kulick

Matteo Markus Bok

Quarantined Quartets

Sammi Rae

April Rose Gabrielli

Raquel Reigns

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About Wonderama

Wonderama is an award-winning family series known for showcasing kids and their amazing talents. It is a legacy media brand, with a 40+ year history in entertaining kids. Designed to entertain, educate and engage kids and families across multiple platforms through original content, Wonderama blends music performances, science experiments, cooking demos, games, and much more in each entertaining episode.  For more Wonderama, visit the wonderamaTV.com, the show’s YouTube Channel, Amazon Prime or check local listings. 

About UNICEF USA
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to pursue a more equitable world for every child. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF began in 1950 when children across the United States collected coins in hand-painted milk cartons to help children affected by World War II. Historically, children have gone door to door on Halloween with the signature orange collection boxes, calling out, “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF!” Originally a grassroots campaign, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has now evolved into a month-long celebration of Halloween and giving back. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is the longest-running youth engagement campaign in America. Since its inception, the annual fundraising campaign has raised over $180 million to help UNICEF support children with health care, nutrition, safe water, education, emergency relief and more. To learn more and get involved, visit www.trickortreatforunicef.org/join.

Contacts:

For UNICEF USA: Nina Marie Costa, [email protected], (973) 519-5253

For Wonderama: Eileen Shapiro, [email protected], (631) 506-6600