King Frost Parade returns after pandemic cancels 2020 parade
Hamburg Jaycees event welcomes fall, serves as homecoming
The King Frost Parade in Hamburg is known for its creative floats and costumes. Crowds fill Hamburg eager to see four divisions of parade entries. This year, the parade returns after the pandemic canceled last year’s event.
The Hamburg Jaycees 57th Annual King Frost Parade will be held in downtown Hamburg at 7 p.m. on Oct. 30, with a rain date of Nov. 6.
“We hope the parade can provide the community a sense of normalcy and a return to community events and togetherness,” said parade co-chairs Derek Leibensperger and Colleen Witman in a statement. “This is the return of the King Frost Parade after having to cancel in 2020 due to the pandemic. The parade had run continuously for 56 years.”
The first King Frost Parade first took place in 1910 and was organized by Jack Walker. From 1921-1924 and in 1940 the Keystone Social Club sponsored the parade. The Hamburg Jaycees began sponsoring the King Frost Parade in 1964.
“It ran continuously until last year when it had to be canceled due to the pandemic. The parade has always acted as a homecoming and a welcoming of fall,” said co-chairs Leibensperger and Witman.
Last year, the pandemic could not stop King Frost from making an appearance even though there was no parade. He surprised residents by riding around the parade route in Hamburg. Recorded music of the Hamburg Area High School Marching Band played on speakers as King Frost waved to people from the back of a pickup truck.
King Frost is George Mitten, owner of the Windsor Press. George has served as King Frost since the 51st King Frost Parade, taking over for M. Dommer Leibensperger. George is a past Jaycee, having served as president of the Hamburg Jaycees, president of the Pennsylvania Jaycees, and a National Vice President for the U.S. Jaycees.
“Anyone can participate in the parade,” said the cochairs. “We have several community bands, high school bands, and local businesses in the parade.”
Spectators are asked to remain on the sidewalk and curb as some of the parade entries take up the entire width of the street.
The parade route is approximately 2 miles long.
The parade route remains the same as previous years, starting at N. 3rd and Port Clinton Avenue and traveling south down 3rd Street to turn left onto Maple, then turns left on S. 4th Street, traveling north on 4th Street until it ends at N. 4th Street and Franklin.
Chairs cannot be placed along the parade route until after 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29. Streets begin closing at 5 p.m., with the parade route closing between 6 and 6:30 p.m.
There is a $50 donation for business entries and all other participants are free to enter. The entry form can be found at www.kingfrostparade.com. Entries are accepted until 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29.
Parking is available at Etchberger Park, The Hamburg Field House, and the Hamburg Area High School. There is no parking on the parade route beginning at 3 p.m. the day of the parade.
King Frost collector pins are available at Adams and Bright and at the registration trailer the day of the parade. They are $5 each. Pin sales help fund the parade.