Serving as a borough tradition for over 15 years, the annual West Chester Halloween Parade has been cancelled for the second year in a row by the Parks and Recreation Board of the West Chester Borough. The decision was reluctantly made primarily in response to rising concerns about transmission of the COVID-19 virus and issues with staffing for the event.
The parade typically takes place along the streets of Market and Gay in downtown West Chester. Various floats, marching bands, and cheerleading teams of local high schools and of West Chester University itself enliven the streets, with children lining the street in halloween costumes.
However, due to the high population expected and continuing COVID-19 concerns, the decision to cancel the parade was made in March of 2021 in the best interest of West Chester citizens.
“There is quite a bit of disappointment, but unfortunately these plans take significant timing, planning, and financial backing,” said the Director of Parks and Recreation, Keith Kurowski, who has worked for the borough for 17 years.
Kurowski also shared how staffing issues were a challenge that the Department faced, prompting the cancellation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff in the Borough Office has been reduced significantly, making it hard to find sufficient staffing for such a demanding event. Furthermore, it has proven difficult to secure sponsorships that are essential to organizing large events.
An unexpected factor that proved debilitating to the Department’s ability to hold community events was the Gay Street closure. With the onset of the pandemic, the borough closed Gay Street and set up outdoor seating areas in the street to help restaurants and businesses stay afloat and remain open. While this action benefited businesses, it prevented the Parks and Recreation Department from bringing vendors and other events to the borough that would typically take place on that street.
Sophomore Elise Mattie, a French major who has lived in the West Chester Borough her entire life, expressed her disappointment in the annual community tradition being cancelled this year.
“The West Chester Halloween parade is always a big deal,” she said. “[W]e would watch the floats and the marching bands from nearby schools. When I saw that it was cancelled I was pretty upset since it is such a fun event to bring new people to see.”
However, alternative events have been put in place to maintain the spooky spirit while also keeping residents safe and healthy. On Oct. 27, a “drive-in Trunk or Treat” event was held in the parking lot of the West Chester Municipal Building. In this socially distanced version of “trunk or treat,” participants drove through the parking lot while volunteers tossed candy into the trunks of their cars. The event was an immense success, with around 200 people taking part.
Moving forward in 2022, Kurowski and the rest of the Parks and Recreation Board hopes to be able to continue the events that foster the feeling of community that the area is so well known for. These include the annual Chili Cook-Off and the Chester County Restaurant Festival, both of which bring in hundreds of visitors to the area.
“Events like the parade give the borough that feeling and sense of community. You get to come together and see folks you haven’t seen in a while. It really is an important part of the fabric that makes West Chester so cool,” said Kurowski.
Moving forward, the Department hopes to maintain a positive outlook and plans to continue providing for the people of West Chester, in whatever way possible.
Olivia Schlinkman is a first-year Exploratory Studies major. OS969352@wcupa.edu