The Lititz Lions Club Halloween Parade has been an October fixture in town for decades, and every year a few costumes become the stuff of local legend. One of the best remembered came in the parade’s first daytime edition, when a six-year-old boy rode the route painted gold from batting helmet to cleats, frozen in a batting stance on a faux marble base reading “MVP All Star.”
He was dressed as a life-size baseball trophy, and he did not move. Spectators along the route, especially small children, were not sure whether he was a statue or a person. Judges were convinced: the costume took the second-place grand prize and $100.
Eight hours of work, and a sweep
His mother built the costume, a project she estimated at more than eight hours. She later admitted she had tried to talk him out of it early on, worried that an active six-year-old could not hold still that long. He proved her wrong, and she joked afterward that he no longer had an excuse for fidgeting in church.
She also made costumes for two of her other children that year, and both won their categories. A daughter took first place for most original costume in the children’s division as a working “claw” arcade machine stuffed with plush animals. A son won first place for scariest children’s costume as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. Three costumes, three prizes: a clean sweep for one household.
Why daylight mattered
The move to a daytime parade that year changed how costumes were seen. Painted details, fabric textures and small props that disappear under streetlights were suddenly visible to the crowd and the judges. Families who had spent weeks on handmade costumes said they appreciated the chance to show the work.
The parade has since returned to an evening start, and the glow of lights and floats along East Main Street is now part of its character. But daytime or night, handmade costumes remain the heart of the event, and judges have long favored creativity over store-bought outfits.
How the parade works
The parade is organized by the Lititz Lions Club, a service club that uses the event as a community gift rather than a fundraiser. Entries usually include costumed children and adults, family groups, marching bands, fire companies, scout troops, dance studios and local businesses.
In recent years the route has stepped off on East Main Street near Locust Street and proceeded west toward the square in the center of town. The 2026 parade was held on the evening of Monday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m., with costume judging and prizes awarded by the Lions.
A few practical points for families planning for next year:
- Costume judging usually happens before the parade steps off, so check the Lions’ registration details and arrive early.
- Categories commonly include most original, scariest, funniest and group entries, with separate divisions by age.
- Street parking along the route closes ahead of the parade. Plan to park on side streets or in borough lots and walk.
- Bring a light for small children walking along the route, and pick a meeting spot in case you get separated.
Halloween in Lititz beyond the parade
The parade is only one part of the season. Borough trick-or-treat night, neighborhood displays and downtown merchant events fill out the calendar. Some homeowners go all-out: we have restored our feature on one Front Street display that featured 55 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns, Flaming Pumpkins: The Best of Lititz Halloween.
For the full season’s schedule, watch our Community and Things To Do sections. If you have photos from this year’s parade, the newsroom would like to see them; use our Contact page.