YMCA’s annual Halloween parade a highlight of Pumpkin Fest

By Tyler Murphy

Sun Staff Writer

The annual Norwich Family YMCA Halloween parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The parade has been a Norwich tradition for over 50 years and coordinated by the YMCA for the last 20, said organizer Tom Revoir, who has helped with the parade for the last decade. “This is one of the greatest events and my favorite,” said Revoir. This year’s parade will feature at least 17 floats sponsored by businesses and local organizations.

“We have so many sponsors that have helped make this a success,” said parade organizer Julie Wallen.

The parade marchers will start from Beebe Avenue and step off from alternating streets up to Front Street, making their way up Broad Street through the center of town. They’ll finish in the parking lot behind Howard Johnson’s.

Anyone willing to exercise their creativity and dedicate some time can still participate in the parade. At the end of the parade, judges will hand out awards in West Park, in front of the courthouse. There will be awards for the floats and for costume categories. Floats can win trophies and recognition. The judges will give awards out for the best non-school float, school float, business float and best family float. The costume awards can win cash prizes for first, second or third place in the following areas; funniest, most original, spookiest, cutest and judge’s favorite costume. Halloween revelers can win multiple awards in different categories.