The Lititz Lions Halloween parade has always been about community.

"It's a parade for kids," said Lititz Lion Ted Beck, who's coordinating the Halloween parade. "I think it's a fun time for kids to dress up. My favorite part is not only seeing the kids, but especially adults dressing up, just being a different person, a different character. When I see kids dress up and having fun, that brings joy to my heart."

The 77th annual Lititz Lions Halloween parade will step off at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28. The downtown Lititz streets will close at 6 p.m. to allow the parade to form, and the festivities are expected to begin winding down around 8 p.m.

The Halloween parade will start at the corner of Locust and Main streets, proceed west and turn left onto South Broad Street and then turn right on West Orange Street. The parade will disband in Warwick High School's parking lot, 301 W. Orange St.

"I see Lititz as a quilt," said Beck. "There are so many events that Lititz has that families can participate in. They all fit and they're coordinated with each other. (The Halloween parade) is a time for families to come together. It's a free night and it's a safe night. You see people from Brickerville, Brunnerville, Rothsville and Manheim there. All these different patches make up a quilt to celebrate what a small town is really all about."

The Lititz Lions Halloween parade will feature nearly 70 groups, floats and individuals representing sports teams, Scout troops, school groups, dance teams and emergency service units. Prizes will be awarded in three children's categories: individuals or groups of eight marchers or fewer, groups of nine or more and floats. The Lititz Lions Club will operate a concession stand at the corner of Main and Cedar streets, near the judges' stand.

There will also be a DJ spinning Halloween-themed music and shining lighted images on the outside walls of downtown buildings.

"It gets darker and darker, and by 7 p.m. it's dark," said Beck. "You can see the anticipation. There are kids with bags ready for candy."

"(The Halloween parade) is not a fundraiser," he added. "It's a give-back to the community. We do have some businesses sponsoring the Halloween parade, which we're really grateful for."

The Lititz Lions Club was founded in 1941, six years before it established the annual Halloween parade. The Lititz Lions Club, which consists of 52 members, also sponsors the town's annual Fourth of July patriotic parade, as well as four other yearly community-enriching events.

"We want to be involved in the local community," said Beck. "We want to provide opportunities for the community to come together. We maintain these community events year in and year out because families rely on them. I absolutely believe there's a cool partnership with the people and families who live in Lititz, Warwick Township and Elizabeth Township. I think deep in their hearts they love this community."

For additional information about the Lititz Lions Halloween Parade, go to http://www.lititzlions.org/halloween-parade.