For a half century, it's brought an entertaining combination of fright and laughter to Broad Street in Tamaqua, and maybe for that reason, excitement for the annual haunting shows no signs of slowing.

Ghost and goblins will take center stage once again at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 when the Tamaqua Lions Club presents the 50th Annual Tamaqua Halloween Parade with assistance from the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce.The event, which draws thousands into the downtown for the evening, represents a collaboration of at least four organizations. For instance, radio communications along the parade route will be provided by the Tamaqua Wireless Association. Tamaqua Fire Police will also volunteer their time to assist with traffic control.The grand marshal will be longtime businessman and popular civic leader Bill Yost of Hometown. Yost, now retired, is past president of Remaly Manufacturing Co., Tamaqua's oldest industry, and has been a strong supporter of local initiatives for decades.The parade will assemble in the former Jamesway parking lot at the east side of the borough. Participants should start arriving at 6 p.m. but no later than 6:45 p.m. The parade will then head west on Broad Street (Route 209) at 7 p.m.Entries for the parade are now being accepted, and there is no entry fee.The judges' stand will be located along the 100 block of West Broad Street.Registration forms for the parade are available at the chamber office, 37 W. Broad St., Suite 101, or at Wells Fargo Bank and the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, or available on Facebook under Tamaqua Halloween parade.Those registering should include a contact person, with addresses and phone numbers.Other information needed includes the number of floats, vehicles and marchers and the theme of each entry.All participants will be contacted in advance of the parade with their position and setup location. A number will be given to each participant or group before the parade. The divisions for the lineup will be announced the week before the parade.Cash prizes will be awarded for the top entries as determined by a panel of judges, including a $150 prize for best of show.Additional 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.Rain date for the parade is 7 p.m. Oct. 26.For more information: 570-668-1880.