When the people of Elizabethtown want something, LIV-ETown works hard to make it happen. That's the case with the Not Too Scary HalloweE-town Parade, happening on Sunday, Oct. 30. The parade will begin assembling at 4 p.m. and will step off at 5:30 p.m.

"We had a lot of people in the community reaching out to us last year about how awesome it would be to have a Halloween parade in E-town," said Tony Gibble, owner of The Tatted Toy Guys Toy Emporium. "Growing up in Manheim, I remember there was a costume parade coinciding with the Farm Show made up of businesses and people in the community and (I) had always loved it." A parade seemed like a perfect project for LIV-ETown, he said, and a new partnership with Jesse Waters, director of community impact at Elizabethtown College, brought LIV-ETown and the college together to get the event up and running for its inaugural year.

The parade will cover a route through town, Waters said, adding, "The best viewing would be along Mount Joy Street from the Fun Fort grass area to College Avenue and from College Avenue to the Hoover parking lot at the college, 701 E. College Ave."

Clint Gibble, owner of The Candy Unicornium, emphasized that participants are encouraged to come in costume and noted that there will be eight categories of parade entries. "Each one has an award waiting to go to the 'Best of' per category," Clint shared. The categories will be ages 1 to 5, ages 6 to 10, ages 11 to 14, age 15 and up, couples, organizations/groups, best on wheels (such as wheelchairs, bikes or ATVs) and vehicles/floats. "The judging will be by the Elizabethtown College president, Betty Rider; Scott LaMar of WITF; and Elizabethtown's mayor, Chuck Mummert," Clint said.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 16 groups from Elizabethtown College will offer a Trunk or Treat event at the end of the parade route in the Hoover parking lot, Waters said. "HalloweE-town Parade guests may also follow the path from Hoover parking to the quad, where 20 businesses will be set up to offer additional trick-or-treating," he stated.

Along with offering a fun way to celebrate Halloween, the parade and other activities represent a focus on collaboration, Waters said. "This parade is a wonderful way to experience harmony between the Elizabethtown College institution and wonderful community organizations such as LIV-ETown," he remarked. "We're hoping folks take note of this and will look for future collaborations between the college and different community members and groups."

People can still sign up to participate in the parade, Clint said. Spots are limited for vehicles, so advance registration is requested, but individuals or groups wanting to walk in the parade can register the day of the event from 4 to 5 p.m. at Pavilion 2 in the Elizabethtown Borough Park, 201 S. Mount Joy St. To preregister, email LIVetownevents@gmail.com. The parade committee is also looking for community members who would like to volunteer. For more information on volunteering, email writershouse@etown.edu.