Halloween Parade Chairman: 'I Feel It Was a Success'

In spite of some issues with barricades being moved, Saucon Valley Halloween Parade chairman David Heintzelman told Hellertown Borough Council Nov. 7 that the 2011 parade, in his opinion, "was a success."

Heintzelman said the parade drew more attendees than he can recall having seen in the past, and credited the near-perfect weather on the day of the parade for helping to boost attendance.

He also said the parade's new route--which included a stretch of Main Street from Walnut Street north to Water Street--gave both spectators and participants something extra to cheer about.

"If we do have another parade going down Main Street, it will definitely be bigger and better," he promised.

In particular, Heintzelman thanked Hellertown police chief Robert Shupp and borough councilman Tom Rieger for their help in planning for .

Just 10 minutes before the parade was scheduled to start, the sound system that was to be used to broadcast the names of bands and other performers failed, and Rieger raced to the Saucon Valley School District campus to borrow another system in time to save the day, Heintzelman said.

"I don't think (Tom) even slept," he joked.

If there was one problem that occurred, it involved people moving barricades in order to drive down streets that were closed as a result of the parade, Heintzelman noted.

He reminded council that those barricades were put up "not by choice, but...for the safety of the kids."

"Anyone who said we landlocked the borough--we do that every year," he said, adding that some of the congestion experienced this year was a result of bands that traveled to the Saucon Valley--along with their supporters--from far and wide.

Some of the congestion was inevitable, and was simply a byproduct of thousands of people converging on a relatively small area, he also said.

Heintzelman requested that council continue to support a Saucon Valley Halloween Parade route that includes a section of Main Street, and a motion by council to do so next year was unanimously approved.