Floats needed for Halloween parade
By: Stephanie Prokop
BORDENTOWN CITY Come one, come all, for a day of festive fall spirit and fun at the 36th annual Halloween Parade in Bordentown.
Even though there is still a little more than a month before the parade, organizers encourage people to start thinking now of float or costume ideas.
The parade, coupled with the house-decorating contest, inspires a big turnout every year, according to Steve McGowan, Bordentown resident and coordinator of business floats for the parade. The parade is sponsored by Consolidated Fire Association, which collects donations to support the event every year.
"People have picnics, have family over, and really come out and enjoy the day," said Mr. McGowan. "It’s a great community involvement."
The parade is scheduled this year for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. The line-up will start at 1 p.m., and will begin to form at Spring and Elizabeth streets.
There will also be "masqueraders," or people who plan on dressing up in costume and walking in the parade. These individuals will be scored by a panel of judges on their scary or creative costumes between 1 and 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s School before the parade starts. Although there is no official word on the cash prize amount this year, in years previous, winners have received up to $300.
So far there are only about 15 floats that have been registered. A float doesn’t have to be something elaborate, even a pickup truck with a few kids sitting in the tailgate with a theme is acceptable.
"The parade and contest is open to anyone who wants to come," Mr. McGowan reiterated. "We will not take your name to make sure that you live in the Bordentown/Fieldsboro area, but rather enjoy yourself for a day of community involvement." There is no fee to register a float or to march as a masquerader.
In addition to the masqueraders and the floats, there are also going to be nine bands performing in the parade, which so far includes the Florence High School Band, the New Egypt High School Band, and a featured drum corps that he said is sure to keep the rhythm of the afternoon in step.
There will also be the third annual house-decorating contest, featuring houses on all of the Bordentown and Fieldsboro streets. People can either register their house in the contest, or simply let passersby see what kind of Halloween display they have concocted and decide for themselves. Either way, if the house has some kind of decoration, it will get noticed. The houses are a main focal point of interest, as some of the homeowners get really carried away with of the ghostly details.
"On Halloween night there are traffic jams, that’s how popular these houses are. There are three of them that are professionally done and they really get everyone into the Halloween spirit," said Mr. McGowan.
Residents interested in more information about the house-decorating contest and entering their own floats in the parade should call Steve McGowan at (609) 298-9328.

