The Rotary Club of Birdsboro will present its annual Halloween parade on Thursday, Oct. 23, beginning at 7 p.m. at Daniel Boone Area High School, 501 Chestnut St., Birdsboro. The club has been sponsoring the parade for more than 45 years.

The parade will travel from the high school, go north on Chestnut Street and head west on East First Street into downtown Birdsboro. Route 345 will be closed to traffic during the parade. In the event of rain, the parade will take place on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Prizes will be awarded in various categories: Best Float - Individual, Organization and Business; Best Vehicle; and Best Non-Float Walkers - Family, Individual, Organization and Business.

"We present the trophies prior to the start of the parade. We have judges that walk around," noted Nancy Kauffman, Rotary president.

The parade will feature floats, families in costume and a performance by the Daniel Boone Area High School marching band. "(The number of participants) varies each year. Most of the local fire companies participate," said Kauffman. "We have local organizations such as the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, churches and a dance studio, and we have some private individuals. Anyone can join, but we don't allow political organizations or candidates running for office."

Those who would like to participate in the parade or enter a float may complete a registration form at www.facebook.com/BirdsboroHalloweenParade.

The Rotary Club of Birdsboro, which is part of Rotary International, is a community service organization with the motto of "Service Above Self." Among its activities is sponsoring the Interact Club at Daniel Boone Area High School for students ages 12 to 18. The goal of the club is "to develop leadership skills, promote international understanding and encourage community service." In addition to meetings and participating in fundraisers, Interact Club members take part in the Halloween parade.

"The parade is our biggest event," noted Kauffman. "We sell poppies for the VFW and have a few fundraisers. We have some flower boxes we take care of at borough hall."

One of the club's major projects is the installation of historical markers. "What we have been doing for the past two years has been sponsoring historical markers throughout Birdsboro," Kauffman explained. "We have one at Main Bird Park (honoring) the different neighborhoods of Birdsboro like Texas and Brooklyn. We have one at Conestoga Telephone (to commemorate) the history of the telephone industry in Birdsboro and one at the William Bird mansion, which is now the community center."

The group's current project is to establish a marker in honor of the Birdsboro trolley system. "There used to be a trolley from the city of Reading to Birdsboro," noted Kauffman. "It would go through West First Street and under the Jackson Street bridge out to Route 724. We are gathering information, and that will be our next marker."

The Rotary Club of Birdsboro meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Stopper's Steak and Seafood, 6421 Perkiomen Ave., Reading. Attendees may eat dinner at 6 p.m. prior to the meeting. New members are welcome. For more information about the club, visit http://www.birdsbororotary.org.