Spectators at the 27th annual Palmerton Halloween Parade Sunday will have a chance to help others get a good meal.

Parade organizer Susie Arner said new to this year’s parade is the Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches, who along with the help of Palmerton High School Leo Club members, will collect nonperishable food items to support the Palmerton food pantry.

Leo Club members will walk along the side of the parade route with shopping carts to collect donations such as canned goods, canned meats (tuna, chicken), peanut butter, pasta, soups, condiments or items to replenish the necessities area at the pantry, which has in it soaps, shower gels, shampoo, deodorant, tissues and baby wipes, Arner said.

“With the weather getting colder, folks have increased bills and may need the food pantry support more than usual, so this will go a long way to help others,” she said. “The parade committee is pleased to have this happen, and as they say, ‘pay it forward.’”

The parade will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The lineup will form at 2:30 p.m. at Seventh Street and Franklin Avenue. Participants must check in at Seventh Street and Delaware Avenue on the day of the parade to receive location and parking directions.

But it’s the performances that take place at the judges’ stand directly in front of borough hall that is what Arner believes sets the event apart from others.

“We do allow our participants to do a 2-minute skit, dance, cheer or whatever for the judges, which is not a typical thing in parades, but we are happy to see this and allow folks to have fun entertaining the viewers,” Arner said. “The talent and creativity of the participants is just amazing.”

The parade will proceed up Seventh Street to Lafayette Avenue, then down Lafayette Avenue to Second Street, and turn left on Second Street to Franklin Avenue, left to Third Street, then right on Third Street to Delaware Avenue, where it will return to Seventh Street to disband.

Those distributing candy must have walkers along the side of the street to hand out candy, as there will be no tossing candy from any floats/vehicles.

All floats with people riding on them are strongly encouraged to have spotters walking alongside for safety purposes.

Arner said expected participants include the Palmerton High School Marching Band, Perseverance Jazz band, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, cheerleaders, football players and soccer players, to name a few. There will also be superheroes, zombies, fish, firefighters and police as well.

Arner said those who view the parade are asked to be respectful of everyone in the parade as well as others watching.

She said those who are hungry or need a drink while viewing may stop at the First United Church of Christ next to Palmerton Borough Hall, which will have beverages, baked goods and more.

Or, Arner said they can stop in front of Bob’s Floral Shop, where the Girl Scouts will have fresh baked brownies and hot or cold beverages.

Arner shared her hopes for this year’s event.

“The goal of the parade is just to have a family fun-filled event for people of all ages to enjoy,” she said. “When people walk away with a smile, that’s great.”

The rain date is 7 p.m. Monday.