The Elverson Parade, which will feature marching bands, floats by community groups and fire apparatus, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Participants will begin to assemble on South Pine St. at 6 p.m., and the parade will begin at 7 p.m.

The parade will travel along Main Street (Route 23) through the borough and end at Yeingst Drive.

The theme of this year's parade is "Red, White and Blue, Celebrating America's 250th!" Past themes have included "On Broadway: Celebrating Our Favorite Musicals" last year, "Advance to Go, Elverson! Celebrating Our Favorite Board Games" in 2024 and "The '70s" for the parade's 50th anniversary in 2023.

"We always have a theme," said Esther Prosser, former mayor of Elverson and an organizer of the parade. "It wasn't hard to pick this year. ... It makes it more fun for people. I'm hoping that people dress patriotically that evening."

Like last year, scheduled to perform this year are members of the Twin Valley Middle and High School marching bands, as well as the Owen J. Roberts and Exeter High School bands.

Fire trucks from local fire companies, including Twin Valley Fire Department (TVFD), will be at the event, and TVFD fire police will help with traffic control and safety during the event.

"The fire police are crucial to traffic control," Prosser said. "Without them, we couldn't have the parade. ... It's really a nice, supportive effort, not just from the (TVFD)."

Food will be available to purchase along the parade route, including Joanna Store's food truck and the Yellow Door taco stand, which will be selling from their front door at 16 E. Main St., Elverson. Giovanni's Pizza and Pasta will also be open at 18 W. Main St., Elverson.

Route 23 will be closed to vehicular traffic during the parade, and after 6:30 p.m., drivers may only enter South Pine St. via Route 401. For safety reasons, all participants in the parade should wait to throw candy until they are on Main Street.

Those driving to the parade are asked to park at Brick Lane Community Church, 52 S. Brick Lane, Elverson. Prosser said that lots at Livingood Park often fill up quickly.

For more information about the parade, visit http://www.elversonboro.org or http://www.facebook.com/elversoncommunity. Those with questions may email Prosser at esther@stoltzfus.com. A parade map will be posted online prior to the event.

In the event of rain, the parade will be held on Thursday, Oct. 22.

"We really, really try not to push it off that day if we don't have to," Prosser said. "If Wednesday doesn't look good, we will wait until probably mid-morning on Wednesday - all we need is two hours with no rain."