Ghouls and Gals to Gather for Collegeville Rotary Halloween Parade

The Collegeville Rotary Club will once again host the annual Halloween Parade on Wednesday, October 28.  Children and their families are invited to march in the parade, which is slated to begin at 6:30 pm.   Various businesses on Main Street and in the Collegeville Station will be open from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm for trick or treat.  Ursinus College residence halls and houses beginning at 9th Avenue will also be open to trick or treaters immediately following the parade until 9 pm.  There is no rain date scheduled.

Groups marching in the parade should gather in the parking lot behind Benjamin Moore Paint & Schrader’s Service Station at 468 E. Main Street and 454 E. Main Street in Collegeville by 6:00 PM.  Judging will take place from 6:00 pm until 6:20 pm.  The parade march will begin at 6:30 pm.  The parade route will turn right out of the parking lot onto Main Street and finish in front of the Philly Soft Pretzel Factory.   

Joe Greenwald, Rotarian and Main Street property owner has been running the parade for the last 18 years.  “The parade has a long history in Collegeville.  It’s been happening each year for at least 50 years.  Though we have never counted, I would guess 500 to 750 people come out to enjoy the evening along with their friends and families.”

Greenwald’s wife, Jenny, owner of Greenwald Flower and Plant Workshop, located at 360 E. Main Street, and chair of the Collegeville Main Street Promotions Committee is excited about the action that will take place that evening.  “Trick or treating on Main Street will be an excellent way for businesses to attract potential customers.  We will be giving out goody bags at the Main Street office at 476 E. Main Street that will contain valuable coupons from the businesses.  If parade-goers do not shop or dine that evening, we anticipate they will come back to redeem their coupons.  As a business owner myself, I know how important it is that we work together and give people reasons to shop locally.”

There is no admission fee and children and adults of all ages are invited to march. 
There will be a float and costume contest, with prizes going to the winners in various age groups.  No formal registration is required for participation in the parade.

Boyertown Rotary Club member and Collegeville Main Street Manager Linda Flederbach will be a judge for the costume contest.  “Events like the Rotary Halloween Parade help to bring the community together.  In the coming months and years we hope to partner with more organizations to hold gatherings on Main Street.   
Parade attendees are asked not to park in the parking lots where the parade groups will gather since there will not be enough space for people marching in the parade  There will be ample parking on the surrounding streets.
Rotary International is the world’s first service club organization.  With more than 33,000 clubs worldwide, and over 1.2 million members, volunteers work to eradicate polio, spread goodwill and peace in the world, promote literacy, combat hunger, and improve health and sanitation.  The Club’s motto is Service Above Self.

Families, local clubs, groups, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to support the parade through participation or sponsorship.  For more information on the parade, contact Joe Greenwald at 610-220-6454.  To find out about the Main Street Program, contact Linda Flederbach at 610-454-1050.  Learn more about the good deeds of Rotary at www.rotary.org or speak to Joe or Linda about their experiences with Rotary.