Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to celebrate on October 31st, 2009 in the City of West Hollywood, CA for the 2009 Halloween Costume Carnival. The event gives the opportunity to revelers to express their selves. It was held from 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood.

“I’m to bring honor and dignity to the streets of West Hollywood.” Said Ricki Lake, Actress, personality and Queen of the 2009 West Hollywood Costume Carnival. She concluded: “Elton John and now me, this is my America, this is our WEHO.”

Actress, Emmy-nominated television personality and independent filmmaker Ricki Lake was crowned the new Queen of the 22nd Annual West Hollywood Costume Carnaval 2009. She received flowers and even the key of the City of West Hollywood from The Mayor Abbe Land. The Coronation of the Queen was held approximately at 8:30 p.m. on the “Arcade Stage” located at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard. The honorary titles of “Queen of the Carnaval” is a highlight at the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, with the coronation taking place in front of more than 250,000 anticipated revelers.

Event organizers expected almost a half million of revelers at the 22nd Annual West Hollywood Costume Carnival 2009. The event is known as the largest national Halloween celebration in the world. It attracts all kinds of people from all over the USA and even outside the USA. The event is celebrated by all kinds of revelers with their families, their toddlers, teens, and even their dogs.

While Ricki Lake was receiving her Crown, La Toya Jackson served milkshakes at a store named: Millions of Milkshakes located at 8910 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA. She was serving her milkshake brand drink and ice cream benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles.

Executive hosts for the event were the West Hollywood City Council and it was produced by Authentic, and entertainment and experiential marketing agency. For more information about the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival visit www.weho.org/halloween or the West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau www.visitwesthollywood.com

Steven Escobar of Diversity News Publications
To see Steven and Alex’s photos from Halloween please visit HERE.