The Parkesburg Lions Club Halloween Parade, which has been a tradition in the area for more than 75 years, will take place this year on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m.

Registration and lineup for the parade will be in the parking lot of A. Duie Pyle, located at 100 S. Limestone Road, beginning at 1 p.m. This year's parade will proceed from the parking lot of A. Duie Pyle, travel down First Avenue and end in front of the Keystone Valley Fire Department (KVFD), 329 W. First Ave. Judging and the awards presentations will take place in front of KVFD. 

Awards will be issued in various categories such as Adult Division, Child Division, Group Float Division, Performance Groups and Fire Company Division.

"We encourage residents - adults, children, groups, families - (along with) churches, Scout groups, fire companies, clubs and performance groups to participate either by walking or on a float. Any specialty vehicles are also invited to be a part of the fun," said Parkesburg Lions Club president Robin McKenna, adding, "The Parkesburg Lions Club enjoys hosting the parade each year and hopes for another successful parade this year."

To register for the parade, message the "Parkesburg Lions Club - New and Improved" Facebook page or contact McKenna at robinlmckenna@gmail.com. Same-day registration will also be accepted.

In addition to planning the parade, members of the Parkesburg Lions Club have been busy with other community projects. The club held a successful gift card bingo on Oct. 5, which raised money for the club's two scholarships that are presented to seniors at Octorara Junior-Senior High School.

As part of its quarterly food drive, members of the Lions Club will collect nonperishable food items for the Octorara Area Food Cupboard (OAFC) on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dutch-Way Farm Market, 365 Route 41, Gap. Lions Club members will be stationed in the lobby of the market. Shoppers will be offered a list of items most needed by the OAFC as they enter the store, and volunteers will collect donations as shoppers exit the store.

The club has placed collection boxes in the community where residents can place used or unwanted eyeglasses, which are later refurbished into new eyewear for people in need. Collection containers are located at the Parkesburg Library, 105 West St., and at local eye doctors' offices.

The club is also collecting clean plastics through a recycling program offered by the Trex Company. Collection containers are located at Parkesburg Library; Fulton Bank, 100 W. First Ave., Parkesburg; and Pine Creek Animal Hospital, 150 Pine Creek Drive, Gap. Money raised through the program has allowed the Lions Club to place free benches in the community.

The Parkesburg Lions Club will present its annual holiday decorating contest again this year. Local residents are asked to register for the contest by messaging the club via the Facebook page. 

Judging of the holiday decorations will take place on Friday, Dec. 13.  All Parkesburg residents are encouraged to participate. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places. Signs will be placed in the yards of the winners. 

Future Lions Club events will include a tingo (tea and bingo) fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025.  

The Parkesburg Lions Club is always looking for new members. Prospective members are invited to attend a club meeting. Meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Parkesburg Baptist Church, 103 West St. When meetings are held at different locations, information is posted on the Facebook page.