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Tango, left, a golden doodle, sits next to Nova Pollard, Tinley Fischer, and Mable Spaulding, right, as they throw candy to spectators while riding in the bucket of Troy Fischer’s tractor/float as they take part in the Parkdale Pumpkin Parade in Parkdale on Oct. 25.

Helen H. Richardson photo/Special to the Columbia Gorge News

PARKDALE — Kids and families braved cold temperatures and rain showers to take part in the annual Parkdale Pumpkin Parade on Oct. 25. While attendance was down from previous years due to the weather, enthusiasm for the popular community event remained strong. Decorated floats and fire engines made their way up from Allen Road to Clear Creek Road along Baseline Drive, delighting spectators along the route.

The parade — held every year on the Saturday before Halloween, rain or shine — has deep roots in the community. While locals fondly recall the event from their childhoods, with estimates of its origins ranging anywhere from “2012” to more than 39 years ago, records show it officially began in 1987. The only interruption came in 2020, when the event was canceled due to COVID-19.

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Aziel Lulo, 1, holds up a lollypop while dressed up for Halloween before taking part in the Parkdale Pumpkin Parade in Parkdale this weekend.Helen H. Richardson photo/Special to the Columbia Gorge News