Cuteness will be on display when the Manheim Farm Show hosts the Children's Parade. Entries are now being sought for the parade, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 9. Judging will begin at 5:30 p.m. behind the Manheim Central football stadium off of Memorial Drive, and the parade will step off at 6:15 p.m. The rain date will be Tuesday, Oct. 10.

Children from birth through age 7 as of Saturday, Oct. 7, are eligible to participate in the parade, said Lisa Kowalski, parade chair.

"We have 10 divisions, including walking divisions, stroller and wagon divisions and big float divisions," she stated.

Walking divisions are Child Walking in Fancy Dress; Child Walking Impersonating Nursery Rhyme, Storybook or Fairy Tale Character; and Child Walking in Miscellaneous Dress. There are also divisions for Best Decorated Vehicle on Wheels, which includes tractors, tricycles and bicycles, as well as Best Decorated Wagon and Mechanized Float.

People are encouraged to get creative with their entries. "Years and years ago, we used to have really great mechanized floats," recalled Kowalski, who has helped with the parade for close to 20 years. "One year, there was a merry-go-round, and when they pulled the float, it would actually turn. Another year, there was a Ferris wheel that spun, too."

Cash prizes are offered for Most Outstanding Float; Most Outstanding Wheeled Vehicle, Wagon, Stroller or Coach; Most Outstanding Child Walking; and first, second, third and fourth places in each division.

Kowalski noted that the parade used to be called the Baby Parade, but she changed the name a few years ago to be inviting to more entrants. "I didn't think a 6-year-old wanted to be in a parade for babies," she said with a laugh.

Participants do not have to be Manheim residents to be in the parade, she said, adding, "We welcome anybody from any town."

The parade offers an opportunity to have fun and enjoy the Farm Show beyond agriculture, she remarked. "If you don't have an animal to show or crops to show, this is a great way to be a part of the Farm Show community in a different aspect," Kowalski shared. "It's just fun."

This year, online registration for the parade will be offered for the first time. To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/53xket4m. The registration deadline is Oct. 7 at 9 p.m. An entry form and complete list of categories can be found by searching for "Manheim Farm Show Children's Parade" on Facebook. For more information, contact Kowalski at 717-669-0051 or lisagkowalski@gmail.com.