49th Lehighton Halloween parade to take place Saturday

The 49th annual Lehighton Area Halloween Parade will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday. The rain date is 2 p.m. Sunday.

Registration and division assignments will be held at Ninth and Coal streets starting at 2 p.m. Groups are not to meet in front of the registration table.

Each group must have a representative register in order to be eligible for a prize. All tractor-trailer floats must be in line by 3 p.m. If the rain date is needed, tractor-trailers must be in line by 1 p.m.

Paraders are reminded they are permitted to toss candy and gum to the viewers, but cannot stop and perform in front of the judges’ stand.

No ATVs are allowed.

New to this year’s parade is a political division, according to Julie Harris, chairwoman of the Lehighton Area Halloween Committee.

“This has been discussed for years,” Harris said. “Due to the amount of political entries we received, it has been decided this is the year.”

Harris noted that the beggars in front of the parade are members of the Lehighton High School National Honor Society and Lehighton High School Student Council.

“The money they collect goes toward the expenses of the parade,” she said. “We do accept donations weeks after the parade.”

The parade will begin at Seventh and Coal streets and make its way down to the Third Street intersection, before making a right onto Mahoning Street and then a left onto Eighth Street, where it will disband at the Grove.

Halloween Parade Committee members said this year’s event is being dedicated in honor of the late Delroy Ruch, a longtime member of the committee who passed away earlier this year.

Harris said that Lehighton recreation director Tom Evans has been chosen as grand marshal for this year’s event.

“Tom spends endless hours, and devotes his time, to tend to the residents (young and old) of the community of Lehighton,” she said. “He strives to add healthy and new activities to the recreation program for all ages of the community to enjoy year-round.”

Evans has been facility manager for the borough for the past 10 years, and manages Baer Memorial Swimming Pool, Lehighton Recreation Center, the Clyde R. Houser building (annex), the Grove, and all the borough parks.

“I have been involved with many of the upgrades at all the facilities,” Evans said. “And it is pleasure working with such a great community.”

Evans said he is humbled by the distinction to serve as parade grand marshal.

“I’m honored,” he said. “Plus, my 4-year-old daughter, Azalea, will be with me.”

Harris said the parade runs strictly on donations from the local businesses and from the public. There is no entry fee to participate in the parade.

The committee noted that the membership of Lehigh Fire Company No. 1 Inc. Social Quarters, gave a $1,500 donation to the parade, as recommended by the Small Games of Chance Committee.

Harris said financial help in conducting previous parades has been greatly appreciated, and any monetary contribution is greatly appreciated.

“We encourage all people to come to Lehighton and enjoy our parade,” Harris said.

Donations may be sent to the Lehighton Area Halloween Parade Committee, P.O. Box 241, Lehighton, PA, 18235.