48th Lehighton Halloween parade to take place Saturday

The 48th 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. All tractor-trailer floats must be in line by 3 p.m. If a rain date is needed, tractor-trailers must be in line by 1 p.m.

The parade committee asks that groups do not meet in front of the registration table, as they must have a representative of their group register in order to be eligible for a prize.

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.

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.

Julie Harris, chairwoman of the Lehighton Area Halloween Committee, said firefighter Stephen Ebbert, Lt. Scott Smith and Capt. Doug Nothstein of the Lehighton Fire Department, along with Lt. Justin Smith of the Franklin Township Fire Department, have been selected as grand marshals for this year’s event.

Harris said all four have been honored with Spirit of Courage Awards in the past two years: Ebbert and Scott Smith this year, and Nothstein and Justin Smith in 2017.

As has been the case in the past 47 parades, the grand marshal, or in this case, grand marshals, have always been selected for their volunteerism, she said.

“These four outstanding firefighters have over 105 years combined volunteer years with their respective fire companies,” Harris said. “When that number is broken down into hours, it is quite outstanding.”

Harris added, “These men have dedicated their time to help protect and save lives in their communities and throughout the county and surrounding counties when needed.

“All four men have received the Spirit of Courage Award within the past two years, the state’s high honors for saving lives during two fires,” she said. “This is why we have selected them to be our 48th Lehighton Halloween Parade’s grand marshals.”

Ebbert said it’s especially nice to have been selected by the Lehighton Area Halloween Committee, which he praised for the fine job it does each year with the Halloween parade.

“We certainly all feel honored to be chosen as the grand marshals for the annual Halloween parade,” Ebbert said.

Justin Smith said that while most fire services are struggling to get volunteers, both departments are “thriving” with their memberships.

“We do have an outstanding relationship with each department,” Smith said. “Hopefully that continues.”

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

“A lot of people around town plan their family reunions around this date,” she said.

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

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