The Centralia Halloween Parade Committee announced on Thursday that, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of American independence, this year’s Halloween Parade will have all military veterans as Grand Marshal. The veterans will be represented in the parade in the Grand Marshal’s position by three individuals: Al Simmons of the Centralia American Legion, Leroy Roper of Centralia Disabled American Veterans, and Curt Hongsermeier of Centralia Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Hongsermeier talked about the significance of the Grand Marshal role in this year’s parade.
“Grand Marshal to me means that I get the honor to not only represent veterans that are members of our local VFW, but I get the honor to represent all veterans on one day,” Hongsermeier said. “That’s what it means to me and I am certainly grateful for the opportunity.”
Veterans will also be represented in this year’s parade by 250 gold star flags of valor, which represent veterans who fell in the line of duty. Each flag will be carried in the parade by a local student.
Butch Mathus said the choice of honoring veterans with the Grand Marshal position this year was a fitting tribute to go along with the parade theme.
“The start of this year was the 250th anniversary of our nation,” Mathus said. “What more fitting than this year’s theme, which was ‘Patriotic Pumpkins.’ We need to honor our military, and what better fitting (for Grand Marshal) than the men and women who served our nation and protected our freedoms. This is what it’s all about. With it being the 250th of our nation and having our veterans serve as Grand Marshal, it’s a great tribute.”
Mathus says that over 115 parade entry forms have been sent out so far. Those interested in entering the Halloween parade can find information and the entry form online at centraliahalloweenparade.com. This year’s parade lineups will be sent out to participants by email instead of by mail.
Fall Festival Chairman Jay Borum said this year’s event is a special one, the 99th annual Centralia Halloween Parade.
“We’re excited, because this is the 99th year that this parade has been going,” Borum said. “It’s just a special time because of the semiquincentennial and honoring the veterans. We’re all excited and happy, and this is just a prelude to next year, which is 100 years. It’s going to be a big deal.”
The Centralia Halloween Parade and Fall Festival will take place this year on the day of Halloween, Saturday, October 31. Festival activities begin at 9:00 a.m. The Children’s Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and the Main Parade takes place in the evening at 7:00 p.m.
