A retired businessman and current bank director in the Borough of Jim Thorpe has been selected to serve as grand marshal of the 20th Annual Jim Thorpe Halloween Parade, which will be held on Sunday, Oct. 26, beginning at 4 p.m.

William R. "Butch" Reabold Jr. will have the honor of leading the parade, which is now in its fourth year of management and coordination by the Jim Thorpe Lions Club, sponsor of the event since 2011.The parade will begin at the Jim Thorpe Area High School, turn left onto Center Street and proceed three blocks to Ninth Street. At that point, the route will turn right onto Ninth Street and go one block to North Street (Route 903), where it will make a left turn. The line of march will travel down North Street to Fifth Street, turn left onto Fifth Street and proceed to Center Street, where it will turn right and proceed to Second Street where it will disband.After the parade, buses will shuttle parade participants back to Memorial Park, where there will be awards and refreshments for all of the parade participants.Donations to help defray the costs of the parade will be accepted by the Lions Club along the parade route.Anyone interested in participating or donating can contact Jim Trainer, 570-325-4104.About the grand marshalFor 45 years, Reabold owned and operated Reabold Coal and Building Supply, Inc., on Fifth Street in Jim Thorpe.He retired from the business in 2005 but continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Mauch Chunk Trust Company, Jim Thorpe, a position he has held for 23 years. Reabold is the current secretary/treasurer of the board.Married to the former Mildred Hawk, he and his wife reside at 927 Oak St. They are the parents of a son, William R. III, and his companion, Kathleen Reabold, of Nesquehoning; and Debbie, wife of James Trainer, Stacy, wife of Thomas Kattner, and Lisa, wife of James Marks, all of Jim Thorpe. They have six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.Active in the Jim Thorpe Lions Club, Reabold is a member since 1996 and currently holds the position of Lion Tamer.A lifelong resident of the community, he graduated in 1955 from Jim Thorpe High School and served in the U.S. Navy before returning to his hometown.Reabold is a member of St. John Lutheran Church on the East side of Jim Thorpe; a life member of the Diligent Fire Company No. 3 and Fairview Hose Company No. 2, both of Jim Thorpe; and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.Decorating contestThe Lions Club will also sponsor a "Halloween House-Decorating Contest" in conjunction with the parade. Prizes of $75, $50 and $25 gift cards to the Jim Thorpe Market will be awarded to homeowners whose properties are judged the best in three categories, "Theme," where judges will be asked to select the best storyline or scene; "Originality," which will be chosen based on the most unique design and creative use of lights and decorations; and "Overall," the property that officials judge to be the best presentation overall.Property owners planning to participate must register in order to be considered for prizes. Registration for the home-decorating contest will be accepted until Wednesday, Oct. 22.To register, visit

Halloween.jimthorpenews.com or call Jim Trainer, 570-325-4104. They will be asked to provide their name, address, telephone number and whether or not they plan to use lights in their decorating.Judging will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23, between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Winners will be notified by telephone on Friday, Oct. 24.