The 96th Annual Centralia Halloween Parade is scheduled to step off at seven Saturday night down Poplar Street.
The theme this year is “Monsters and Mischief”. The Grand Marshal is Mimi Hawkins who is involved in a number of groups to help the less fortunate including the Thanksgiving Dinner at the Poplar Place.
Parade Chair Butch Mathus says it is shaping up to be a nice parade.
“100 entries with 32 floats and eight marching bands. I expect a really great turnout. It takes a lot of planning, nine months a year, for a one-weekend event.”
Mathus is pleased the number of marching bands has gone back up this year.
Click below to see the parade line-up:
96th Annual Centralia Halloween Parade
See line up locations below:
The Centralia Moose Lodge Children’s Halloween Parade is part of the Fall Festival that will run from nine to two in downtown Centralia. Costume judging at Library Park is at ten. The parade through downtown follows at eleven.
A number of free children’s activities are planned including Little Obie CN train rides from nine to two, inflatables and children’s games from ten to two, and egg races at eleven. Pony rides will be available for purchase.
Entertainment on South Locust Street will run from 9:30 to 11 and includes the Centralia High School Marching Showcase and Color Guard, William Harvey Dance Academy, and Studio 50 Tumbling and Dance Center. From 11:30 to 1, Annette and Heather, Southern Illinois Elite Tumbling and Cheer and Rock 101 will perform. A best-dressed pet contest will be held at one.
A chili cook-off starts at six with public tasting while supply lasts from noon to 1:30. The Masonic Lodge will have a pancake breakfast from seven to noon. The Centralia Police and Fire Department will have a Safety Fair at their facility on South Poplar. The Centralia Historical Museum will be open from ten to four. A car show is planned from nine to two. A craft fair at the Recreation Complex, a Downtown Flea Market, and various vendors throughout the fest will be open from nine to three.
