James "Jimmy" Wentz, a retired school teacher and former high school football coach, will be the grand marshal for the 39th annual Lehighton Area Halloween Parade.

The parade will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The rain date is 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.Julie Harris, parade committee chairman, said the parade will form at 9th and Coal streets, proceed on Coal to Third, south on Third to Mahoning, and west on Mahoning to Eighth. It will disband at the Community Grove.She added, "It's a pleasure to have Mr. Wentz serve as the grand marshal. He has done so much for the community over the years."Wentz, a Lehighton resident, was involved in education in the Lehighton Area School District for 32 years, including serving as an elementary school principal and in various other administrative functions.He was a head football coach for more than a decade. Before being named varsity football coach in Lehighton in 1967, he had served as an assistant football coach for many years. He also was an assistant track coach for 28 years.He taught Sunday School for 40 years at Zion United Church of Christ, Lehighton, where he remains on the choir. He had served on the consistory as an elder and served as church moderator.He is a lifetime member of American Legion Post 314, Lehighton; is chaplain of the Lehighton AMVETS, and is chaplain of the Lehighton United Veterans Organization. He also is chaplain of Memorial Day programs in Lehighton.He and his wife of 55 years, Shirley, have four children, six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.The Halloween parade will consist of five divisions. Five bands are scheduled to be in the line of march.It will be televised live on Blue Ridge Communications TV-13.Serving as emcee for the parade at the judging stand, which is at the Lehighton Borough Annex, will be Raymond Koons.Harris said the parade is run entirely on donations. Anyone wishing to contribute to this year's parade can send the donation to: Lehighton Halloween Parade Committee, P. O. Box 241, Lehighton, PA 18235.