Lucy Rogers remembers the first time she and her family participated in the annual Centre Region Parks and Recreation Halloween Costume Parade. She had just moved to State College and she and her husband, Gregg, and 8-year-old daughter, Emily, decided to participate in this tradition in their new hometown.
Emily came dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Lucy had found patina-colored fabric for her to wear as a toga, and she painted Emily’s face the same color. She made the stone tablet out of a cereal box, and, for the torch, she wrapped oak tag around a flashlight and attached an orange tissue to the top to resemble the flame.
“I remember it was unseasonably warm, and I couldn’t believe how many people were lined up to participate and the amazing level of costume creation,” says Rogers, who writes Town&Gown’s “From the Vine” column. “Once we started walking, I was astounded to see the number of people lined up to watch the parade. The culmination on Memorial Field, where the kids got to show their costumes to the judges under the bright lights and prizes were awarded, had a wonderful, festive vibe, and everyone seemed so nice! When Emily won second prize in the category, that was just icing on the cake.
“it was the first parade we participated in, and I had never seen anything like it.”
On Oct. 30, CRPR will hold its 70th annual Halloween Costume Parade, which has brought and continues to bring joy and a sense of community to Happy Valley.
According to CRPR recreation supervisor Beth Lee, the parade attracts between 1,500 and 1,800 people who either participate in it or watch it. She adds that the parade began when CRPR was run by the State College Area School District, and Curt Gaylord was the director.
“I am not a very creative person, and to see the time and hard work so many people put into their costumes, some just for this event, makes me proud to provide it for the community after so many years,” Lee says. “I also love seeing the smiles that come from the kids whether they win a prize or not.”
The parade begins on the Penn State campus, on Burrowes Street. It then heads up College Avenue, in the wrong direction, before taking a right onto South Allen Street and eventually finishing up at Memorial Field.
The State College Lions Club provides all of the cash prizes for the top four winners in each of the 11 categories, as well as goodie bags for everyone.
“With this partnership and the help of State College police, the State College Area School District, Penn State, Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, and many volunteers from local organizations, CRPR hopes this longstanding community tradition will continue for years to come,” Lee says.
Lucy Rogers adds, “We’ve always loved it. To me, it epitomizes the beauty of State College living. You can be in the parade or you can watch the parade, but it’s such a unique community event that everyone can enjoy!”
The 70th annual Centre Region Parks and Recreation Halloween Costume Parade is October 30, with participants lining up at 6:30 p.m. off of College Avenue, on Burrowes Street (beside the Penn State steam plant), and the parade starting at 7 p.m. For more information, visit crpr.org.
