Politics & Government

Council Says 'Yes' to Halloween Parade Route Change

It will be just like old times again if the Pa. Department of Transportation approves the proposal to change the parade route from Northampton Street to Main Street.

Summer's barely begun, but some folks in Hellertown are already getting geared up for Halloween.

That was apparent at Borough Council's June 20 meeting, when Hellertown Halloween Parade Chairman David Heintzelman discussed the possibility of changing this year's parade route from Northampton Street to Main Street, which is also Route 412. 

"We've been getting a lot of requests for having the parade route changed down to Main Street," he said.

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Years ago the Hellertown Halloween Parade was annually held on Main Street, but it was eventually relocated to Northampton Street, which is a wide street and much less congested.

Northampton Street runs parallel to much of Main Street, one block to its east.

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Heintzelman said that regardless of any route change, the parade would "still be hitting the (Saucon Manor) high-rise that has always been a center for those that can't get out."

The main goal of the possible route change is "to get a little more activity and participation in the parade," he added.

Regarding the proposed route change, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) "still has the final say, yay or nay," Heintzelman acknowledged.

Police Chief Robert Shupp told council he had already driven the proposed route, and sees it as a feasible alternative to the Northampton Street route.

The section of Main Street used for the parade would be closed for approximately two hours, and southbound traffic on Main would be diverted at Depot Street to Front Street.

"I don't think there'd be a problem...as far as Depot," Shupp said. "The road's plenty wide as far as tractor trailers (are concerned)."

At the south end of the route, traffic would be diverted at the partially closed intersection of Main and West Walnut streets, he added.

Council members also expressed approval of the idea, with councilwoman Stephanie Kovacs telling Heintzelman, "I'm happy to see this (route) back."

"I think we (should) move forward" with the proposed route change, added council vice president John Bate. "I think it's a tremendous idea."

Council voted unanimously in favor of a motion in favor of the route change, pending PennDOT approval.

Heintzelman said that as soon as he receives an answer from PennDOT per the parade committee's request, he will report back to council.


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