**BREAKING: Chaos Erupts as Hundreds Flock to Non-Existent Halloween Parade**
In a bizarre incident that has left authorities scratching their heads, hundreds of people gathered in downtown Anytown yesterday evening, eagerly awaiting the start of the city’s annual Halloween parade. The only problem? There was no parade.
Despite there being no official announcement or advertisement for a Halloween parade, crowds began to gather at the designated parade route, dressed in elaborate costumes and carrying signs that read “Trick or Treat” and “Parade Route”. Many had even brought lawn chairs and blankets to stake out their spot, with some enthusiasts arriving as early as 5am to secure a prime viewing spot.
As the clock struck 6pm, the crowd grew restless, with some people shouting “Where’s the parade?” and “This is ridiculous!” Local resident, Jane Doe, was spotted wearing a full-body cat costume, complete with a giant bow tie and whiskers. “I drove all the way from out of town for this,” she exclaimed. “I’m not leaving until I see some ghosts and goblins!”
As the minutes ticked by, the crowd grew more and more agitated, with some people even calling the mayor’s office to complain about the lack of a parade. “I’m going to get a refund on my pumpkin spice latte!” shouted one disgruntled attendee.
In a bizarre twist, a group of enterprising individuals set up a makeshift “Parade Watch Party” complete with a DJ, food trucks, and even a photo booth. The event quickly gained traction on social media, with the hashtag #ParadeThatWasntThere trending locally.
When asked for comment, the mayor of Anytown shrugged and said, “Well, I guess you could say we had a parade of people waiting for a parade… that wasn’t there.” The city’s tourism board has since released a statement assuring visitors that “next year’s parade will be bigger and better… or at least, we think it will.”
As the evening drew to a close, the crowd slowly dispersed, with many attendees vowing to return next year – provided there actually is a parade. One attendee was spotted leaving with a large, inflatable pumpkin, which they claimed was a “protest prop.”
In related news, local businesses reported a surge in sales of costumes, candy, and parade-themed merchandise, with one store owner remarking, “I guess you could say we had a parade of shoppers… even if there wasn’t a parade to shop for!”
