Palmerton Halloween Parade ready for Sunday

The Palmerton Halloween Parade committee members are hoping the skies will be clear when the parade steps off at 4 p.m. Sunday.

“We’re hoping Mother Nature provides us with a great day,” said parade organizer Susan Arner.

There’s a slight chance of rain after 2 p.m., but the day is expected to be partly sunny and warm, with a high near 76.

The four-division parade will include multiple Girl Scout troops from Palmerton and surrounding areas, entries from youth sports teams and cheerleaders, local businesses, local veterans and of course the Palmerton Marching Band.

Fire trucks and EMS vehicles will participate, but they will not blow their sirens, unless there is a true emergency.

The parade will form at 2:30 p.m. at the Seventh Street and Franklin Avenue. Participants must check in at Seventh Street and Delaware Avenue on the day of the parade to receive location and parking directions.

Parade participants are reminded that the lineup area will be closed off. Participants should be dropped off and walk to their respective units.

If it rains, the parade will be held Monday at 7 p.m. Formation time is 6 p.m.

The parade will proceed up Seventh to Lafayette then down Lafayette to Second, then down Second to Franklin, to Third, then right on Third to Delaware Avenue, returning to Seventh Street to disband.

People are reminded there is no parking along the parade lineup area and the parade route. Check posted signs carefully to avoid being ticketed or towed.

Organizations distributing candy are required to have walkers along the side of the street to hand out candy. There will be no tossing candy from any floats/vehicles. Parents are asked to keep their children from running into the street.

All floats with people riding on them are strongly encouraged to have spotters walking along side for safety purposes.

Participants should limit any performance for judges to a 2-minute maximum including loading and unloading performers. All vehicles in the parade must remain within 5 feet of the center yellow line.

TV-13 and the announcer will be located in front of the borough hall, so participants are asked “to stop by quickly to do a skit, cheer, stunt or just plain trick of their own,” Arner said.

The print deadline for registrations has passed, but people can still participate by calling Arner at 484-522-8899.

Categories are individual, group (costumed or marching), small float (no taller than 13 feet and no longer than 15 feet), large float (no taller than 13 feet and anything over 15 feet long, automotive, decorated automotive, patriotic theme and municipal equipment.

Monetary prizes will be awarded in all categories, except municipal equipment.

The Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the parade.