Parade starts at 3:45 p.m. in front of library; East Main Street between Gresham and Water Streets to close from 2:30 to 6 p.m.
Ashland.news staff report
Ashland is gearing up for its annual Children’s Halloween Parade on Friday, Oct. 31, kicking off at 3:45 p.m. in front of the Ashland Public Library.
Sponsored by the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, the parade will move west, along East Main Street to the Plaza, between Gresham and Water Streets, according to a Tuesday, Oct. 28, Facebook post from the Ashland Police Department.
During the parade, the police department said Lithia Way will be open for two-way traffic. The department said that starting at 2 p.m., cars parked in the downtown corridor will be towed. Tow zones will be marked early in the day, according to the post.
Halloween safety tips
To see five safety tips from the Red Cross, click here
Ashland police said they expect the crowd to grow in size as Halloween festivities continue downtown. The department will have assistance from officers from nearby law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety, according to the post. This means stepped-up patrols to ensure public safety. Police say they will strictly enforce laws against disorderly conduct, public intoxication, open containers, curfew violations, and other offenses.
Parade activities
Dana Preston, the chamber’s membership and business development director, said the parade would include a “mass of ghouls and goblins” led by members of the Ashland High School and Middle School bands.
She said once the procession reaches the Plaza, the high schoolers will play Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” including a performance of the iconic zombie dance from the music video.
Ashland’s “favorite” witches will also perform a dance routine. She said anyone is welcome to join in with the witches and the high schoolers during their respective performances.
Preston said businesses with a pumpkin and a sign in the window, along with the chamber’s information booth at the Plaza, will have candy for trick-or-treaters.
She said the streets would reopen at the police department’s discretion around 5:30 p.m.
Email Ashland.news associate editor Steve Mitchell at stevem@ashland.news.
