The Palmerton United Veterans Organization has been chosen to serve as grand marshal of the 23rd annual Palmerton Halloween Parade.

Sponsored by the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce, the parade will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday. The rain date is 7 p.m. Monday.Change in parade routeUnlike years past, the parade route has changed this year, according to parade chairwoman Susie Arner.Arner said the parade will form at 2:30 p.m. There will be no parking along the parade route, she said.The parade will start by going up Seventh Street, where it will make a left turn onto Lafayette Avenue, and then turn down to Second Street. From there, it will turn down to Franklin Avenue to Third Street and Delaware Avenue, and continue to Seventh Street, where it will disband.Arner said the change in direction will place parade participants on Delaware Avenue as the evening begins to get darker, which is a much better-lit street than Lafayette Avenue, and therefore, safer."That's one of our biggest goals, to eliminate the large gaps that we've seen in parades from the past," she said. "And to ensure participant and spectator safety."PUVOArner noted this will be the last year there will be a grand marshal for the parade.This year's grand marshal is the Palmerton United Veterans Organization, which comprises American Legion Post 269 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7134."We chose them for more than obvious reasons that everyone should be aware of," she said. "For their past service to our country, and their continued support of their local community."In November 2012, the PUVO held the dedication of the Palmerton Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day in the borough park.With permission from the borough, the PUVO decided to build the memorial in the park as a tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and to those who served to preserve our freedom.The memorial is located on a section of land 40 feet by 60 feet in the lower southwest corner of the park and includes a list of all veterans' names on granite monuments from all time periods of service.It includes names of veterans from the American Revolutionary era to the present, a span of over 230 years, who either entered the service while a resident of the Palmerton area or who have lived in the area at least half of their adult life.The centerpiece is a sculpture titled "Some Gave All" and depicts a gun and helmet. James N. Muir of Sedona, Arizona, sculpted the top piece of the sculpture, which was donated by goodwill Ambassador Richard Nothstein.It is surrounded by a wide walkway and standing stones with the names of veterans. Those who were killed in action are named on the base of the sculpture.Rules of the paradeArner said parents are reminded to keep their children at the curb to receive candy so they don't run out into the street to pick it up. No bicycles allowed in the street during the parade.She said the parade committee is always in need of volunteers to assist with traffic control, registration, street closings and other jobs.To participate, contact Arner at 610-826-7515 to request a registration form and leave a mailing address. There is no fee to register.