It’s that time of year of again for Boyertown to get into the Halloween spirit!
The Boyertown Jaycees 61st Halloween Parade will be held on Saturday October 19, 2013, commencing at 7 p.m. The rain date will be Sunday October 20. Formation will begin at the Boyertown Elementary School, Boyertown Junior High School West and Federal-Mogul parking lots.
WRFY 9102.5 FM) will be the MC’s for the parade this year. They, along with the judges, will be located at the front side of the Friendship Hook and Ladder Fire Company on Third and Warwick Streets.
Prize money totaling more than $,2,230 and trophies will be awarded in the following categories: Float (any size), Drill and Baton Unit, Best Scouting Unit, Costumed Group (2 or more), Individual and Most Original. Each category will be awarded a first, second, third, and fourth prize, all youngsters who participate win the parade (groups and individuals) will receive treat bags with candy and coupons from local businesses.
Businesses may compete in the Commercial category. A large trophy will be awarded to the winner under the Commercial category. Businesses, however, may still advertise their business in the parade without being judged. A small donation is required for any business advertising in the parade.
Individual walkers are to register at the first division which is located at the Federal-Mogul parking lot on the night of the parade. An area at the lower end of the parking lot will be designated for walkers. Individual walkers need not pre-register.
This year’s parade route will remain the same. The route will begin at Second and Madison Streets, north to Philadelphia Avenue to south on Reading Avenue, east on Third, south on Monroe Street and east on Second Street.
To help alleviate the congestion before the parade at Second and Madison Streets, the Boyertown Jaycees are asking that the following entrances be used by parade participants to reach their formation areas: Division #1 and individual walkers–come in on Route 562, Reading Avenue, turn onto Second Street (turn right if coming into Boyertown, turn left is heading out of Boyertown). Division #2–come in on route 100, turn onto Jackson Road (turn right is coming from Boyertown, turn left if coming from Pottstown), left onto Sweinhart Road, right onto Mill Street, right onto Englesville Road and right onto Madison Street. Division #3 – come in on Route 100, turn onto Jackson Road, (turn right if coming from Boyertown; turn left if coming from Pottstown), right onto Sweinhart Road, left onto Second Street.
Vendor spots are still available for any vendors, local organizations, clubs, etc. who would like to sell food and/or novelties along the parade route.
Should the parade need to the cancelled and rescheduled for the rain date, an announcement will be made by WRFY (102.5 FM).
Any business or individual who would like to donate to the parade can write to The Boyertown Jaycees 105 Miller Road Bechtelsville, Pa. 19505.
For parade information and registration, call 610-310-8497; registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 11.
Due to safety concerns related to parking, traffic and pedestrian traffic, parade spectators are advised to refrain from placing blankets, chairs or other items on the sidewalk along the parade route 24 hours before the event. Any items placed on the sidewalk before Friday at 7 p.m. will be removed and disposed on for the Borough of Boyertown.
Residents and guests are asked to observe the parking restrictions in effect on the parade route until 2 a.m. This will help the Borough’s street screw complete a thorough clean up, including sweeping along the curbs.
The Boyertown Jaycees extend precaution to spectators who donate along the parade route. Problems have arisen over the years from other groups and organizations not associated with the Boyertown Jaycees to keep the parade route to give only the Boyertown Jaycees. Anyone other than the Boyertown Jaycees soliciting for donations along the parade route is not associated with the Boyertown Jaycees and they do not have a permit to do so.
BOY SCOUTS TO COLLECT PANTRY GOODS AT PARADE:
Boy Scout Troop 36, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Gilbertsville, needs help as they help The Boyertown Area Multi-Service restock their food pantry for the upcoming holidays. It’s easy to do, just purchase one item from the list below and bring it to the parade on Oct. 19.
The Scouts will collect these items from you as they travel the parade route and deliver the goods to the Multi-Service pantry. There will also be a drop off area for items at the parade registration table.
The food pantry supplies food to many of our friends and neighbors in need without our community. The rising cost of food and the expanding list of people requesting service is challenging their resources however, with the community’s help, the Scouts can help the Boyertown area community.
As Boy Scouts, their motto is ‘To do a good turn daily!’ to do something because it is the right thing to do. And so the youth and adult members of Troop 36 are asking you to do you ‘good turn’ to help the community.
PANTRY NEEDS INCLUDE: canned vegetables and fruits, canned soups, peanutbutter and jelly, instant potatoes, canned meats, condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo) juice, personal care items, hamburger helper, cake and brownie mixes, pasta sauce, and pancake mix/syrup.
Information provided by the Boyertown Jaycees and Boy Scout Troop 36.
