The 46th edition of Tamaqua's Annual Halloween Parade is scheduled for Tuesday, October 23, beginning at 7 p.m. Rain date will be Wednesday, Oct. 24, same time. The parade is sponsored by the Tamaqua Lions Club with assistance from the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce. The Tamaqua Wireless Association provides communication along the parade route.

This year's grand marshal will be Richard M. Hadesty Sr., former mayor of Tamaqua. The Mack Truck retiree has served as the master of ceremonies for Tamaqua's Annual 9-11 Remembrance Service and serves as treasurer for the Tamaqua Rotary Club. A member of Trinity United Church of Christ of Tamaqua, Hadesty served as mayor from 1998 to 2005. A veteran of the National Guard, he is also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Tamaqua's American Hose Fire Company and the Schuylkill Safe Kids Coalition.Also riding in the parade with be Emerson Musser, the Tamaqua Area Chamber's 2012 Citizenship Award winner.As in the past, the parade will assemble at the east end of the borough by 6:45 p.m. and commence westward on Broad Street.Cash prizes will be awarded for the top entries as determined by a panel of judges. There is a $150 prize for Best of Show. Prizes will also be presented in two categories: marching units and floats/motorized. The first place prize for each category is $100, with $75 for second place and $50 for third place. All participants will be called in advance of the parade with their position and set-up location. A number is given to each participant or group.For more information on the parade, contact the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce, 114 W. Broad St., at (570) 668-1880. The fax number is (570) 668-0826, or email

tamaquachamber@verizon.net.The parade will include four divisions. Division 1 will include: Tamaqua police; Tamaqua United Veterans Color Guard; Mayor Chris Morrison and Hurst; Grand Marshall Hadesty; 2012 Citizenship Award winner Fran Stahl; Tamaqua aerial truck; Citizens Fire Company; East End Fire Company; American Hose Fire Company; South Ward Fire Company; Kelly Boerner Daycare; Cub Scout Pack 777; Kyle and Ryan Smith; Spare Time Bowling; Ick and Pog; Sundance Vacations; West Penn Daisy Troop 31210; Miller's Produce of West Penn.Division 2 will feature: Tamaqua Area High School Raider Marching Band; Tamaqua Area H. S. Homecoming court; Tamaqua Area Middle School Cheerleaders; Tamaqua Knee Hi Football teams; Tamaqua Knee Hi Cheerleaders; Gloria Dillon School of Dance; Sisters' Cantina; Lil Colts Football teams; Lil Colts Cheerleaders; Troxell's Produce and Pumpkin Patch; USA Martial Arts and Fitness; Tamaqua Animal Rescue; Worship and Warfare; Rayne's Brain Team; Barry Grammes tractors; Domino's Pizza; Zumba Fitness with Jen; Beyrent Agency.In Division 3, marchers participants will include: Marian Catholic High School Marching Band; Marian Catholic H. S. Homecoming Court; Tamaqua Area Youth Soccer Association; Odd Fellows Harmony Lodge and Rebekah Lodge; Trans Western Polymers; Philadelphia Ghost Busters; Nightmare on Broad Street; Hazleton City View BMW; McCann School of Business; and Deetz Towing.Division 4 will include: H and R Block; Lehigh Carbon Community College; Elite Generation Wrestling; Number 9 Mine Museum; Woodforest National Bank; West Penn Pool Team #1; Hope's Collision and Towing; Tamaqua Lions and Leo Clubs; Tamaqua Off Road Cruisers; Regional EMA and Critical Care; Penn Mahoning Ambulance; Coaldale Fire Company; West Penn Fire Company; Mahoning Valley Ambulance; Ryan Township Ambulance.