Halloween parade set, donations sought

The parade needs $3,000 to be staged this year

POTTSTOWN >> The annual Halloween Parade will creep its way down High Street Wednesday, Oct. 28, with a rain date of Oct. 29.

However, as is the case most years, it won’t happen without a little financial help from the public.

P. Richard Frantz, spokesman for the Rotary Club, which each year teams up with the AMBUCS to stage the parade, said the parade still has about $4,500 in the kitty from previous fundraising.

Last year, the parade was rained out — hence this year’s rain date — and about $500 was spent for a mini-parade and costume contest at Manatawny Green mini-golf.

Frantz said the cost charged by the borough — mainly police overtime — have gone up.

“We need an additional $3,000 this year,” Frantz said.

“Rotary and AMBUCS clubs are again supportive and we are contacting other groups in town,” he wrote in an email to The Mercury.

The last full parade was two years ago when the costumes of about 350 children were judged

in five categories — Prettiest, Scariest, Most Original, BestHalloween Theme, Best TV/Movie Character.

Prizes were awarded to the three best in each category.

After the judging, the children will march down High Street to the Borough Hall accompanied by the Pottstown High School and Middle School bands.

“We are hoping that the Pottsgrove High School and Middle School bands will come as well. We also

“There will be a variety of decorated floats with Boy Scouts, church and other community groups, and many fire engines.” P. Richard Frantz, Halloween Parade organizer

have the Boyertown Alumni Marching Band Unit,” Frantz wrote.

“There will be a variety of decorated floats with Boy Scouts, church and other community groups, and many fire engines,” Frantz wrote. “Prizes will also be awarded to the best floats and The Phillie Phanatic will join us as well.”

Checks should be made out to Pottstown Rotary Club Community Endowment Fund. Donations are tax deductible.

Checks can be mailed to: Richard Frantz, 127A N. Hanover St., Pottstown, PA 19464; or Rotary Club of Pottstown, PO Box 227, Pottstown, PA 19464.

They can also be dropped off at The Mercury, 24 N. Hanover St. in Pottstown, Attn: Halloween Parade.

JOHN STRICKLER — MERCURY FILE PHOTO Costumed kids and parents paraded around the Manatawny Green Miniature Golf parking lot last year during the Pottstown Parks and Recreation’s costume contest held after the cancellation of the Halloween Parade.