The circus will be coming to Elverson Borough this year as Under the Big Top is the theme of the 2017 Elverson Parade, which will take over Main Street (Route 23) from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 18. Route 23 will be closed to ALL traffic beginning at 6:30 p.m. so please plan accordingly. Vehicles will be detoured using Brick Lane and Route 401. The rain date for this annual event is Oct. 19.
Marchers will begin lining up on South Pine Street at 6 p.m. and move west on Main Street beginning at 7 p.m. The parade will end at the former location of the National Penn Bank on Yengst Drive. The Elverson Fitness Club will be closing at 5 p.m. that day (or on Thursday if the parade is rain-dated).
All are welcome to watch the spectacle of antique cars, marching bands, clowns, acrobats, jugglers and floats as they march or ride down Elverson’s main thoroughfare. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Please leave your bicycles at home unless you are riding in the parade.
Parking is available for marchers and spectators at the new, enlarged lot at the Evangelical Free Church located at 52 Brick Lane. It is a short walk down a paved path to the corner of South Pine and Stable Drive. The parking lot at Yeingst Drive will also be available, as band buses will be parking on West Main Street west of the Springfield Village sign. Smaller lots are located at Borough Hall and Livingood Park on Route 82 South, and there are parking spaces at the end of Yeingst Drive.
Come early to enjoy the pre-parade activities. Johnny (Cash) Barnett will be entertaining before the start of the parade at the Elverson Supply Parking lot where Moore’s famous French fries and Jerry Abbott’s festive funnel cakes will be available. Montesano Brothers will be selling hot and cold sandwiches. Drinks will also be available all evening. Porta potties will be set up at the former St. Joseph’s Urgent Care lot, the judge’s stand in front of Shear Haven Hair Salon, 70 West Main Street, and on Yeingst Drive.
Prizes will be awarded in the following categories – Commercial Float, Non-Commercial Float, Marching Unit, Scout Group, Best on Wheels, and Best of Show. You must decorate around the theme to be eligible for prizes. Bands will perform several timers along the parade route.
For more information, please contact Esther at 484-269-7153 or e-mail Esther@stoltzfus.com.
