By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
It’s almost THAT TIME of the year again in Decatur. At 6:57 p.m. – not 7 p.m. – Monday the Callithumpian Parade, said to be the oldest Halloween parade in the United States, will begin flowing from the east edge of the city.
Early indications are for a dry night with – get this! – temperatures in the high 60s to around 70!
Hundreds of people will head for the downtown area and hundreds more will come from outside the city. And if the weather predictions hold true, this year’s parade could attract one of the largest crowds ever.
It will probably be one of the longest parades since this is an election year and the politicians and their parties are likely to be out in full force.
Tim and Cathy Berkshire were named by the Decatur Chamber of Commerce as parade grand marshals.
The parade, which dates to 1914, will begin in the Bellmont High School area, march west on Monroe St., then turn at the main downtown intersection and travel south on Second St., dispersing at Five Points, now open after being closed for several weeks.
All sorts of food will be available before and during the parade, which will feature bands, floats, maskers and much more.
Band and float trophies will be presented after the parade, as will other awards.
All participants in the costume contests are asked to preregister at Riverside Center between 5:45 – 6:15 p.m. Judging will be held in the Garden Room at Riverside Center between 6:20 – 6:35; awards will be passed out immediately following judging. Participants will then line up for the parade in front of Riverside Center.
LONG HISTORY: Much of the parade’s long history was recently presented by the Adams County Historical Society, as follows:
“The parade began in 1914 and was dubbed the ‘The Big Halloween Parade’ planned by the Women’s City Improvement Society.
“It took place on Halloween to give the children something non-destructive to do and started at 7:00 sharp. It was a much shorter parade, starting at the corner of Marshall and Second Streets, and marched south on Second street to Madison and then west to Fourth street and then turn north to Monroe street. Finally heading east on Third street to disband at the scene of a big town Halloween party.
“The newspaper advertised that the city ‘hung 50 special electric lights for the occasion’ and lit several bonfires, with vaudeville entertainments, fortune tellers, fish ponds and lots of refreshments.
“The Decatur Daily Democrat posted that ‘The party will be one of the best festivals the city has ever known and a grand turnout of the city’s populace as well as a large incoming from the country districts is expected.’
“It should be noted that because of the Covid pandemic in 2020, the parade didn’t run. But then again, almost everything got canceled in 2020 so not surprising.”
“Additionally, the parade didn’t run one year during World War I and during World War II.”
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