The 52nd annual Lehighton Area Halloween Parade is at 4 p.m. Saturday. Rain date is 2 p.m. Sunday.

The parade begins at Seventh and Coal streets and makes its way down to the Third Street intersection, before making a right onto Mahoning Street and then a left onto Eighth Street, where it will disband at the Grove.

Fran Haas, of Lehighton, is the Grand Marshal.

Haas has been a fixture in the community for decades, said Julie Harris, chairperson of the Lehighton Halloween Parade Committee.

“Fran was chosen between her past volunteer work, and the fact she’s been a school crossing guard for 57 years,” Harris said. “And, you can safely say that Fran likes Halloween.”

Haas said she feels privileged to have been chosen as Grand Marshal of the parade.

“It’s an honor,” Haas said. “I know a lot of people.”

Haas said that along with the parade, she also enjoys seeing how people decorate their homes in town, and how people dress for the parade.

Harris said that Fran’s husband, the late Hilbert “Hilly” Haas, was one of the original founders of the parade.

Before his passing, “Hilly” was retired from Haas’ Grocery Store in Lehighton. He was also a retired bus driver and school crossing guard.

The couple have two children; a daughter, Susan Wirth, and a son, Ken Haas, along with two grandchildren, Chloe and Katelin.

Harris said this year’s event will be a seven-division parade, and larger than it has been in years.

Participants will include the Lehighton High School Marching Band, Dieruff High School Marching Band, and Allentown Hobo “Almost” Marching Band.

She said among the newcomers include Mannered Mutts Dog Training, and V’s Grooming, along with Mason’s Cold Beer Too and the Tough Cookie Throwing Club.

Harris emphasized that the parade runs on donations. There is no entry fee.

Donations may be sent to the Lehighton Area Halloween Parade Committee, P.O. Box 241, Lehighton, PA, 18235.

This year, Harris said the parade beggars will walk with each division throughout the parade route.

Registration and division assignments will be held at Ninth and Coal streets starting at 2 p.m. Groups are not to meet in front of the registration table.

Each group must have a representative register in order to be eligible for a prize. All tractor-trailer floats must be in line by 3 p.m. If the rain date is needed, tractor-trailers must be in line by 1 p.m.

Paraders are reminded they are permitted to toss candy and gum to the viewers, but cannot stop and perform in front of the judge’s stand. No ATVs are allowed.