Residents of Jim Thorpe and visitors will celebrate Halloween later this month thanks to two events sponsored by the Jim Thorpe Lions Club.

The highlight will be the 20th Annual Jim Thorpe Halloween Parade beginning at 4 p.m. on Oct. 26.This year will mark the fourth year the Lions Club will be sponsoring the parade, having taken over management and coordination of it in 2011. Details, including the route and line of march, will be announced as plans progress.In conjunction with the observance and parade, the Lions Club will sponsor a Halloween house-decorating contest in the borough. Property owners must register in order to be considered for prizes.The club will present prizes of $75, $50 and $25 gift cards to the Jim Thorpe Market to homeowners whose properties are judged the best in three categories.Judging will take place on between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23.The categories are: Theme, where judges will be asked to select the best storyline or scene; Originality, in which the judges will be asked to select the most unique design and creative use of lights and decorations; and Overall, the property that officials judge to be the best presentation overall.Registration for the home-decorating contest will be accepted until Oct. 22. To register, participants can email

Halloween.jimthorpenews.com or call Jim Trainer, 570-325-4104. They will be asked to provide their name, address, telephone number and whether or not they plan to use lights in their decorating.Winners will be notified by telephone on Oct. 24.