The 54th annual Lehighton Halloween Parade will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday. The rain date is Sunday.

The parade begins at Seventh and Coal streets and makes its way down to the Third Street intersection before making a right onto Mahoning Street and then a left onto Eighth Street, where it will disband at the Grove.

Grant Hunsicker, of Lehighton, is the grand marshal.

“I’m happy to be that person,” said Hunsicker, 89. “The parade is always good.”

Julie Harris, chairperson of the Lehighton Halloween Parade Committee, said Hunsicker was an excellent choice to serve as grand marshal.

“It makes us feel good to see how excited Grant is about being chosen as this year’s grand marshal,” Harris said.

Harris noted that years ago, Hunsicker was one of the division members for the parade, and that he also used to be on the Carbon County Fair Board when it was held at the Fairgrounds.

Hunsicker, a lifelong resident of the borough, has served on Lehighton Borough Council for close to 50 years, and has been its president since 1994.

A 1954 graduate of Lehighton High School, Hunsicker also drove bus for 20 years, including to various sporting events.

Hunsicker has been married to his wife, Sandra, for over 50 years.

He has two daughters, one son, and two stepsons.

Harris said this year’s event will be an 8-division parade.

Participants will include the Lehighton “Indian Pride” Marching Band, Palmerton High School Marching Band, Dieruff High School Band, and Allentown Almost “Hobo” Marching Band, Holy Mackerel Band, and Calliope Merry Go Round.

Erin McGinley, secretary/treasurer, noted that this year they have more food trucks than ever. The trucks include Coastal Cravings, Diggers BBQ, Sunny Sips, Pocono Potato Chip Company, Sweet Dream Bakery, Jill’s Concession, and Rachel’s Cake Corner.

Harris emphasized that the parade runs on donations. There is no entry fee. Donations may be sent to the Lehighton Area Halloween Parade Committee, P.O. Box 241, Lehighton, PA 18235.

The committee is looking for volunteers to serve as parade beggars to carry orange donation buckets on the parade route. It could be a group or individuals, Harris said.

Registration and division assignments will be held at Ninth and Coal streets starting at 2 p.m. Groups are not to meet in front of the registration table.

Each group must have a representative register in order to be eligible for a prize. All tractor-trailer floats must be in line by 3 p.m. If the rain date is needed, tractor-trailers must be in line by 1 p.m.

Paraders are reminded they are permitted to toss candy and gum to the viewers, but cannot stop and perform in front of the judge’s stand. No ATV’s are allowed.