20 Years and Still Marching

This year marks the 20th annual Chartley Halloween Parade, and organizers hope it will be one to remember.

The parade, which is sponsored by Norton Parks and Recreation, will begin at noon Sunday, Oct. 28 starting from the Norton and Attleboro town line and ending at St. Mary’s Church in Norton. The parade will be held rain or shine.

Kids are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes and catch armfuls of candy from the floats and marchers as they pass.

Groups already registered for the procession include Cheer Factor High Performance Training Center, Norton Lions, Mansfield Oil Co., Active Learners Preschool, Wetherell’s Lawn and Garden, Mom’s Club of Norton, Norton Public Library and Ronald McDonald. Bands, ponies and wagons are also in the works.

“Also for our 20th annual parade we are adding in the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums, which we are really excited about,” said Norton Parks and Recreation chairwoman Sheri Cohen.

The grand marshall of the parade is Steve Bishop, also known as the Man of Many Hats. In a fundraiser contest sponsored by Norton Patch and Norton Parks and Recreation, Bishop was crowned the unofficial Mayor of Norton. Bishop was first nominated by fellow Norton residents and then . Bishop marches in the footsteps of his grandfather and former mayor, Leo Yelle.

Co-sponsors are being sought for the event. To be a co-sponsor, a donation of $600 is required to offset the cost of the police detail. A banner with the organization’s name will be displayed at the start of the parade along with other promotions. Registration for marching groups and floats are also being accepted.

“We do not have a set cost [for participants] for the parade, but are hopeful that people will give us donations so we can continue to make this parade a huge success year after year,” Cohen said.

To be a co-sponsor or participate in the parade, click on the attached registration form. Checks can be made payable to the Town of Norton. Send the check and registration form to Town of Norton Attn: Parks and Recreation/Chartley Halloween Parade, 70 E. Main St., Norton, MA 02766.

For more information visit www.nortonparksandrec.com or contact Cohen at 617-688-4454 or sljm.cohen@comcast.net.