Appeal succeeds in restoring parade
It took a public appeal for contributions, but the annual Halloween parade through downtown Uniontown is back on schedule for Oct. 23. Uniontown VFW Post 47 for more than 50 years had hosted the annual Halloween parade. Post 47’s board of directors recently voted to drop the parade, not because community interest has waned, but because the organization did not have $2,200 to award prizes and to pay the bands that participate.
Post commander Peter Porreca announced Tuesday that a sponsor had volunteered. Keymarket Communications, the owner of WOGG Froggy 94.9 and WPKL 99.3 The Pickle radio stations, donated the entire $2,200 to sponsor the parade this year.
Porreca said residents and business from throughout the county offered donations, which no longer will be needed since the radio station offered to pick up the entire cost.
For some in Uniontown it wouldn’t be Halloween without the parade that allows kids of all ages from infants to senior status to unleash creativity in fashioning floats and costumes and stroll along the downtown streets.
Ermine Rowe is one of those Halloween parade enthusiasts who wasn’t willing to give up. Through the years she has brought her children, then grandchildren and now great-grandchildren to the parade.
When she learned of its cancellation she decided to do something about it. She dropped off a Letter to the Editor and was out soliciting donations. The publicity campaign succeeded.
Ghouls, goblins and an assortment of costumed creations will make the walk through downtown again this year, thanks to Ms. Rowe, the radio station, and VFW Post 47.