(September 27, 2018): Organizers of the York Halloween Parade presented by York Traditions Bank have named Lou Rivera, chairman of Latinos Unidos, the grand marshal of this year’s parade.
The 69th edition of the parade — sponsored by York Traditions Bank and managed by Eventive, the event planning and production division of the York Revolution — will roll through downtown York on Sunday, October 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.
A native of Camden, N.J., Rivera grew up in Worcester, Mass., and returned to New Jersey to attend Rutgers University. He moved to York nearly three years ago and has quickly made his mark on his new community, leading such initiatives as Puerto Rico Se Levanta, the 21-day giving drive that raised more than $15,000 to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico, and playing a pivotal role in the creation of First Friday Latino in the city.
Rivera serves as chairman of Latinos Unidos, a community dedicated to the engagement and empowerment of Latino residents in the greater York area. He and his fellow volunteers champion the organization’s efforts to promote social, civic, and economic integration of Latino families.
Eventive Director Adam Nugent called Rivera an ideal grand marshal for a parade with this year’s theme, “York – A United Community of Many Cultures.”
"There are members of our York County community – too many to count – who have put decades of sweat into building a foundation for our town to be the most welcoming place for all of its residents and visitors,” Nugent said. “Lou is a person who recently made his home in York. He appreciates the groundwork that had been laid while recognizing that he and his neighbors can do more to continue building. Lou personifies a unified York County with all of its differences.”
“I am deeply humbled and honored at being selected Grand Marshall of the 2018 Halloween Day Parade, particularly given its focus on diversity and inclusion,” Rivera said. “My path was paved by those in the Latino and gay community prior to my husband and I relocating to York in 2015 and by those who served this community, without recognition, much more than I have. What we, Latinos Unidos of York, have done is to bring greater awareness to the cause of engagement, empowerment, and diversity and inclusion, and I’m thrilled to be the honorary head of the York Halloween Parade the year those values will be center stage.”
Commercial and non-profit organizations, baton groups or dance studios, and individuals and small groups interested in participating in the October 28 event may register at
www.yorkhalloweenparade.com.
The parade will again begin at The York Fairgrounds at 2 p.m. and travel east on Market Street from Richland Avenue to Broad Street in downtown York. The route will feature a number of vendors as well as a Family Fun Zone, presented by CGA Law Firm, on the corner of Market and George Streets from 1 to 3 p.m. The Family Fun Zone will include games and inflatables for the kids, music, and more.
Businesses along the parade route will participate in the revived October tradition of inviting art students from local school districts to paint their windows with original donut monster and donut-scape Halloween-themed art, reflecting a fourth year of sponsorship from Maple Donuts, which revived the tradition that was largely lost in the 1990s.
For the fifth year, Menchey Music is offering $100 off in-store merchandise to the first 10 high school and junior high music programs to register for the York Halloween Parade.
