PARKDALE — Visitors to the annual Parkdale Pumpkin Parade enjoyed sunshine and about two dozen floats from various clubs and organizations around the Gorge on Oct. 27.
Records show the parade has been happening since 1987 — except one year in 2020 due to COVID. Many residents, families and their dogs flocked to Baseline Drive in Parkdale dressed in costumes and eager to celebrate the upcoming Halloween holiday. Organizers April Core and Cara Fischer said the parade’s popularity has grown significantly in recent years.
“When I first took this over, we used to joke that it was such a small town little thing; it was 50 people in the parade and 50 people on the sidelines,” Core said. “It’s really brought in a lot of people, and it’s growing so big that now we’re talking about crowd control.”
With the help of Sheriff Matt English, other deputies in the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office and local businesses in the Upper Valley, organizers have been able to hand out prizes from the most creative and entertaining parade floats. Anyone and everyone was welcome to join the parade motorcade. Core said they do not require registration in an attempt to attract the most participants. So far their plan has worked.
The parade marched down Baseline Drive with people lined along the road hoping for a good view of the floats and first dibs on candy.
Local sponsors donated gift cards, merchandise, lift tickets to Mt. Hood Meadows and gift baskets to the winners. Core credited Fischer for rallying sponsors for the parade. The floats were judged by English and his wife, Robbie. English doesn’t take his judging responsibility lightly.
“We have been doing this for at least the last 12 years,” English said. “I am looking for floats that show the best creativity, effort and originality.” He praised the organizers for making the event such a popular and safe community gathering.
Prizes were awarded to floats from Kiddie City, The “Wee Mill,” Hood River Adopt-A-Dog, the Hood River Youth Cheerleading program and more.
Core explained that every year the organizers must apply for permits from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to shut down the road and to Hood River County for an insurance certificate. The parade has also had a notable impact on the unincorporated community’s economy. Core said that some business owners turned down opportunities to be in the parade to serve customers and tend their establishments.
Before the parade commenced, a 1K and 5K walk/run fundraiser took place to raise funds for the Wy’east athletics program. Core said more than 100 people signed up for the two fun runs.
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