(August 19, 2019, York, Pa.): York’s beloved Halloween tradition is back for its 70th year and seeking entries.
York Traditions Bank and Eventive, the event planning and production division of the York Revolution, announced today that registration is open for the 70th edition of the York Halloween Parade. Commercial and non-profit organizations, baton groups or dance studios, and individuals and small groups interested in participating in the October 27 event may now register at
www.yorkhalloweenparade.com.
“This year’s event is particularly special to us,” said Eugene Draganosky, President & CEO of York Traditions Bank, the parade sponsor for the sixth straight year. “We have always felt it important to help our community preserve traditions and celebrations like the city’s annual Halloween Parade. To make possible the 70th anniversary of what so many in that community have loved over the years is a real source of pride to us. We look forward to what our neighbors and customers do to mark this historic occasion.”
To further highlight the parade’s milestone, organizers announced the 2019 parade theme is “A Tribute to Seven Decades,” encouraging parade entrants to portray one of the seven decades in which the community event has rolled through downtown York.
For this year’s Grand Marshal, the parade is an annual reminder of where a significant chapter in his life began. YWCA Director of Youth Services Mike Smith founded the now revered Temple Guard Drill Team in 1997, and it made its hard-stomping, drum-pounding debut in the 1997 parade.
“Mike’s passion for his city and the young people in it has changed countless lives,” said Adam Nugent, Director of Eventive. “Between the amazing work he has done with the kids in the Temple Guard, the Guard’s annual contributions to the fun of the parade, and Mike’s service at the YWCA, he was an obvious choice to honor as Grand Marshal. We are thrilled he accepted and can’t wait to see him leading the parade. I just hope we can keep up with him when he kicks things off.”
The parade will again begin at The York Fairgrounds at 2:00 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 on the corner of Market and George Streets from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The Family Fun Zone will include games and inflatables for the kids, music, and more!