By Bethanne Reinert

No More Early Birds For Boyertown Halloween Parade

The Boyertown Halloween Parade brings hundreds of spectators every year from many different towns and counties for kiddies to snag some treats and for everyone to have a little fun.  Boyertown has seen a significant growth in numbers for it’s two hour event especially since the Gilbertsville parade had fizzled out years ago due to lack of funding.

Over the years, residents used to see a few blankets, chairs and benches lining the parade route the day of or the day before the event in anticipation of the “perfect” spot to view the ghosts and goblins.  As the years brought more and more spectators and the parking spots got farther away, the competition for that spot has gotten a bit more fierce.  Each year the blankets, chairs, benches, bricks, rope and countless other oddities have appeared several more days ahead of the parade night which have been stirring up problems for years.

Well, this year the borough has put a limit on when you can set up shop at your favorite spot.  Boyertown borough decided, at the end of last year, that 24 hours is plenty of time to mark your spot along the route.  However, most residents did not know of the new decision until they had their belongings confiscated by the borough.  And many will not have known until they arrived at their “spot."  According to Mayor Deery, she thought there was supposed to be an article printed in the Boyertown Times two weeks ago listing the new rule but she did not know if it was printed or not and was not happy with the amount of time given to residents to find this out. 

The biggest problems are on East Philadelphia and Reading Avenues which are the main arteries of Boyertown.  When trying to find a parking space along those routes a few days before the parade, you really have to watch your step.  It becomes difficult to maneuver your car so your car door won’t hit a chair or other object saving  a space on the sidewalk.  Some parking is impossible due to ropes tied between two parking meters, signs or poles. It becomes an issue of public safety if someone were to get injured because of the obstacles and in today’s society one cannot take safety for granted since everyone wants to get an attorney involved. 

So the question remains, fair or not fair?  In this writer’s opinion, it is fair.  However, in the future there should be better communication with residents and public notices posted at certain intervals along the route for those that will be coming from out of town to see the Halloween parade.  There is nothing more unwelcoming to someone visiting our town, than to take their belongings and it being a surprise to them.  I agree with the 24 hour limitation on the main routes and where parking is available as well as on corners where pedestrians need to cross the street.  On those few streets that do not allow parking on one side, why not allow the chairs?  You can’t park there anyway. 

Article by Bethanne Reinert.