Just in time for restless New Yorkers to cut loose (men to dress in drag, women to dress as sluts - hey, we're not judging, just observing), it's a surprisingly mild Halloween today. While there were a fair share of parties over the weekend (we took the subway with naughty nurses, ballplayers, witches, and angry New Yorkers!), tonight is the real deal, with the Village Halloween Parade getting started at 7PM, as revelers walk along Sixth Avenue from Spring Street until 23rd Street. This year's parade is New Orleans-themed, with 15 year old Glen Hall III, a third generation musician from New Orleans, acting as the grand marshal, which is amusing as many of the costumes are definitely R-rated. We do, though, suspect some people will try to look like conservative Golden Girls - you know, Harriet Miers - as well as dress up as Angelina Jolie and Brad PItt (Wellingtons and men's shirts), Paris HIlton (no underwear), Tara Reid (no breast coverage) and Dick Cheney (on a gurney). Let us know what you're dressing up as tonight.

Unfortunately, Halloween is also a magnet to crime: Police shot a teenager at a Halloween party (the teen was allegedly stabbing another man) while two teens shot a man who confronted them for egging his car. Be safe out there.

And read our interview with the Village Halloween Parade's creative director, Jeanne Fleming.