Volunteers enable Halloween parade

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

NILES — Lack of support and volunteers often spells the end of a tradition. Many people will complain when an event stops being held, but only a few people will come forward to help save it.

When the Halloween parade lost its organizer, Bonnie Wilson, who had moved from the city and couldn’t do it any longer, Becky and Todd Thomas stepped forward. He’s been a firefighter in the city for 16 years and recently became a captain. They’ve been coordinators for four years.

“It’s been a tradition for more than 60 years,” Becky Thomas said, though she admitted she didn’t know the date of the first event. “We just didn’t want to see it canceled, so we volunteered.”

In fact, she pointed out, the whole parade is dependent solely on volunteers. Thomas said the planning began in August for the October activity. She estimated some 1,000 people are involved.

“It wouldn’t happen without the cooperation of the city, major’s office and especially the police department,” Todd Thomas said. He said that support and the support of the community make the parade a reality. “It’s an important tradition.”

This year’s parade took place at 2 p.m. today under sunny conditions and blue skies though a bit of wind made onlookers and participants aware that the cooler weather of autumn had arrived. Volunteers were thanked by the smiles on children’s faces as they scooped up candy thrown from vehicles in the parade and applause of adults who attended the annual Halloween happening.

For complete story, see Monday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.