The 53rd annual Lehighton Halloween Parade is 4 p.m. Oct. 19. Rain date is 2 p.m. Oct. 20.

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.

Sandy Whiteman, of Lehighton, is the grand marshal.

Whiteman has been an institution in the borough for decades, according to Julie Harris, chairperson of the Lehighton Halloween Parade Committee.

“Sandy was selected for her volunteer work,” Harris said. “And she’s involved within her community.”

Whiteman, who has lived in the borough the majority of her life, said, “I love my town of Lehighton.”

“I never thought anything like this would happen to me,” Whiteman said. “I’m here because God wanted me to be grand marshal.”

Whiteman explained that volunteering is something that has just come natural to her.

“I love helping people, and I did this while working at In-Home Referrals,” she said. “I am very active in my church, SS. Peter & Paul Society at my church, and also active with the Lehighton Lions Club.”

Whiteman described some of the activities she likes to partake in her spare time.

“For fun, I like to sing karaoke and go to concerts at Penn’s Peak and party, party, party,” she said. “I guess you could say I’m a party animal.”

That isn’t all Whiteman enjoys.

“I also love parades … and I’m certainly loving this one,” she said.

Whiteman is the daughter of the late George and Alma Ferko. She has four children; a son, Glenn Whiteman, of Lehighton, and daughters Amy Rehrig and Angela Hogan, both of Florida. She was predeceased by her husband, Glenn Whiteman, and a son, Michael Whiteman.

The parade committee is hoping for a seven or eight-division parade, but said it won’t know until the week before the parade when it starts the lineup.

Participants will include the Lehighton High School Band, Dieruff High School Band, and Allentown Almost Marching Hobo Band, though Harris noted they are still looking for more bands.

Also, B.A.C.K. (Bikers Against Cop Killers Inc.) Mountain Chapter Bike Group is one of the new participants in this year’s parade.

New food trucks/food vendors this year include Uncle Paul’s Stuffed Pretzel, Otts Concession, Diggers BBQ and Rachel’s Cake Corner.

Harris stressed 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.

They are looking for volunteers to serve as parade beggars to carry donation buckets on the parade route. It could be a group, or individuals, Harris said.

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.

The entry deadline is Wednesday.

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.