Published: October 20, 2008 11:41 am      

59th Annual Halloween Parade set for Wednesday

CUMBERLAND — The 59th Annual Halloween Parade, under the sponsorhsip of the South Cumberland Business and Civic Association, will be held Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. Fred E. (Skip) and Dotty Squires, longtime members of the association, will serve as parade marshals.

Parade participants are to form in their designated areas at 6 p.m. The first division units are to enter their formation area from Oldtown Road, turning down Pennsylvania Avenue. Allen Haines, division captain, will direct the units to their line-up area.

The units participating in the second through 10th divisions are to enter their formation areas by using Industrial Boulevard and turning up the street their division forms on and proceeding to their formation area where division captains will direct the units to their position. Buses carrying high school bands and their equipment trucks/trailers are to proceed to the disbanding area once they have unloaded.

Parade spectators are reminded to park their vehicles and walk to their desired location to view the parade to alleviate unnecessary congestion in the formation areas. No vehicles are to be using First through Fourth streets during the formation and parade times.

There will be no parking on the streets where the parade forms nor along the parade route after 5 p.m.

Parade participants are reminded that no candy or other items will be handed out or thrown from passing vehicles during the parade.

Costumed mummers will assemble at Smith Park, located between Race and Seymour streets at 5:30 p.m. for judging. Prizes will be limited to individuals 18 years of age and younger. Adult mummers who assemble are to notify judges they are not in competition. The Grand Mummer trophy is being donated by The Sports Shoppe. The Grand Mummer and winners of the judging will lead the parade and will be introduced at the reviewing stage by Helen Combs, chairwoman of the judges. All mummers and winners will walk the parade route to show their various costumes.

The reviewing stand will again be located on the former Cumberland Electric parking lot on Virginia Avenue. Jim Van will be master of ceremonies for the evening’s festivities.

The parade will move west on East First Street to Virginia Avenue, then south to Industrial Boulevard West. Parade participants and parents are reminded that disbanding is not to occur at the corner of Virginia Avenue and Industrial Boulevard, but in the area of Kirk Auto Sales.

The parade line-up is as follows:

First Division(First Street from Arch Street to Pennsylvania Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue to Oldtown Road): Cumberland Police Department, Cumberland Fire Department, Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, George’s Creek Cruisers, Buckley’s Towing, ABATE of Western Maryland, Emerick Trucking, Taccino’s Classic Cars, Sponaugle Towing, John and Debbie Stafford, Fire and Ice Rods & Customs and Let’s Beautify Cumberland!

Second Division (South Street from First Street to Second Street): Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 172 Color Guard, Fred E. (Skip) and Dotty Squires, parade marshals, Allegany High School Marching Band and Arrowettes, Allegany High School Homecoming Court, U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, Bishop Walsh S.H.O.P., Bishop Walsh 2008 Homecoming Court, Jennifer Dougherty for Congress, Citizens for Tim Iman and West Side Hunters Pee Wee football team and cheerleaders.

Third Division (East First Street between South Street and Wempe Drive): Ali Ghan Shrine units.

Fourth Division (South Street from Second Street to Fourth Street): Hyndman High School Band, Brian Grim for City Council, Obama for President, State Farm Insurance Good Neighbor, Boy Scout Troop 4, Pack 2 Cub Scouts, Patriettes Dance Team and Feature Twirlers, Patriots Cheerleading Squad, WTBO-WFRB-GO 106, Bill Ringler “The Executioner,” Tim Bohn and Governors Wellmobile of Western Maryland Region.

Fifth Division (South Street from Fourth Street to Industrial Boulevard): The Hampshire Band, State Sen. George C. Edwards, Rebecca D. Drew, Register of Wills, The Red Hatters of Lions Center Rehab and Extended Care, Dixon Dance Studio, Liberty Christian Fellowship CIA, Cumberland SURGE Youth Outreach, Wal-Mart 2027, Riverside BMX, Saints football and cheerleading and District 16 Volunteer Fire Department.

Sixth Division (Pennsylvania Avenue from First Street to Second Street): Bedford Marching Band, Allegany County Nursing Home and Rehab Center, Meyersdale Maplettes Baton Twirling Group, Miss Mason Dixon 2008, Eric Muir, Miss Pride of Potomac’s Outstanding Teen, Abbey Tighe, Miss Mason Dixon’s Outstanding Teen, Aleksandra Knepper, Miss Black-Eyed Susan Outstanding Teen, Samantha Gibson and Miss Maryland Princess, Nicole McCloskey, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Allegany Radio Corporation and the Ridgeley Hawks.

Seventh Division(Pennsylvania Avenue from Second Street to Third Street): Salisbury-Elk Lick High School Band, Knights of St. Andrew, U.S. Navy Fleet Reserve Association Branch 369, Plum Crazy Bodacious Babes, Western Maryland Auxiliary Police Association, Potomac Frederal Credit Union, Cumberland Covenant House Adult Medical Day Services and Cumberland Raiders football.

Eighth Division (Seymour Street from First Street to Second Street): Paw Paw High School Band, Jeff Metz for Board of Education, Capering Kids 4-H Goat Club, Woodman of the World, WCBC Radio AM, WCBC Radio FM, Living Waters Ministries, Holiday Hair, South Cumberland Reds Pee Wee football team and cheerleaders and the LaVale Rescue Squad.

Ninth Division (Seymour Street from Second Street to Third Street): Mountain Ridge High School Band, AWANA Group from Second Baptist Church, Rainbow Cleaning Services, HOPE Station, Pizza Hut, Mountainside Marines, LaVale Lions Pee Wee football team and cheerleaders and Baltimore Pike Volunteer Fire Company.

Tenth Division (Grand Avenue from First Street to Second Street): Fort Hill High School Marching Band and Sentinelettes, Fort Hill Homecomng Queen and Court, The Sloan Company, Gulf War Memorial, Jamie Tallman’s 1967 Camaro, Mike Wade, Kauffman for City Council, Strut Your Mutt Pet Grooming, Re/Max Connections “Festival of Trees” and Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department.