Fleming took responsibility for continuing the Village Halloween Parade in 1985 after its founding artistic director, Ralph Lee, decided to no longer run the event. Fleming had been working with Lee since 1983 and had been a participant in the parade for several years prior to that. In addition to producing new puppets and processional elements, Fleming planned for its future growth by working with five Manhattan neighborhoods' community boards, local police, residents, sponsors, schools, and community organizations. The parade currently draws two million spectators and sixty thousand participants.