Parade

When I was a reporter, I always tried to save some vacation for the week after Christmas because practically nothing happens then. Many in government use that week to take that use-or-lose annual leave, which leaves departments staffed with people who don't know the answers to the questions you ask. Or if they do know, they don't want to be quoted when the boss isn't around. So that's why you're hearing about my Christmas, which is something I ordinarily wouldn't write about because it takes me so long to get in the spirit of the holiday.

Martinsburg's town square will reopen Saturday for the 32nd Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival parade, but then immediately be closed again so contractors can complete pedestrian-safety improvements. Due to inclement weather, the state Division of Highways said Friday that it had extended the closure of the intersection of Queen and King streets beyond the initial estimate of five to seven days. However, a new completion date for the modification of pavers in the square was not announced.

Dark skies and the National Weather Service advisory for severe thunderstorms prompted the organizers of Old Home Week to postpone Thursday's parade in Greencastle, Pa. The parade was supposed to start at 6:30 p.m., and a large crowd had gathered despite the threat of inclement weather. Greencastle police alerted onlookers to the postponement shortly before 6 p.m. The parade will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday on the same route through town. Firefighters in St. Thomas, Pa., are blaming lightning for a Thursday morning house fire.

BOONSBORO - One of the legacies of soldiers who die far from home is the children they leave behind, a retired U.S. military officer told people gathered Sunday for Memorial Day weekend festivities in Boonsboro. Col. Orlyn Oestereich read a letter one girl wrote to her father, Command Sgt. Major James Blankenbecler, after he was killed in action. "I know you are gone now, but it only means that I have another angel watching over me for the rest of my life," Oestereich said.

gregs@herald-mail.com BOONSBORO - Stephanie Miller, 3, giggled, laughed and waved a miniature flag as Boonsboro's tribute parade in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks passed. "I want to see the dog again!" Miller said. A local firefighter riding on the back of a truck was wearing a Dalmatian costume. Saturday afternoon's parade down Main Street in Boonsboro on the surface appeared to be the same as any other parade dedicated to American pride. Hand-held flags waved as bands marched by playing patriotic music.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. - The wreaths have been hanging in Waynesboro for days. The Chambersburg Community Theatre has nearly completed its run of "Miracle of 34th Street. " The shops of Greencastle are starting to stay open late for Heritage Christmas. Yet for Franklin County, it was not officially the holiday season until the parades came to town Saturday. Three parades in one day has been a Franklin County tradition for years, starting in Greencastle in the morning, passing through Waynesboro in the afternoon and ending in Chambersburg in the evening.

An Easter parade will be held Saturday in and around Public Square in downtown Hagerstown, a community group announced recently. Scheduled parade entertainment and activities include a hat contest, Snickers the Clown, Ester Bunny, two barbershop quartets, face painting and a free lunch. Parade events will run from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will be on the sidewalks in the square and at the Masonic Temple at 54 S. Potomac St., according to a parade flier. Streets will not be closed to traffic during the parade.

bonnieb@herald-mail.com GREENCASTLE - Children, adults, dogs, and babies lined the streets and crowded into the square of downtown Greencastle for the town's annual Christmas parade Saturday morning. Led by Honorary Grand Marshall Kayleigh Smith, 77 groups wound through town for about an hour. Smith won a drawing held by radio station 92.1 FM for Greeencastle-area children ages 5 through 10, according to A. J. Silver, morning radio personality who announced the parade from a platform in the square.

The Town of Hancock provided the names of the following Hancock Halloween parade winners. The parade was held Wednesday night in Hancock. Muscle cars -- First place, Danny Flowers, Chevelle; second place, Judith Burton, '64 Plymouth Fury. Antique trucks -- First place, Lawrence McGowen, '50 Chevy pickup. Unique rides -- First place, Bun True '54 Kaiser Darrin; second place, Marty Courser, '60 Nash Metropolitan. Classics -- First place, Neil Newkirk, '55 Chevy; second place, John Demarinis, '63 Falcon.

andrews@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - A 10 with a smiley face meant approval. A frowning face was a jeer. In a jovial mood, the "Official Un-Judges" were generous with 10s and frugal with frowns at Saturday's 25th annual Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival parade in Martinsburg. The unsanctioned, frivolous, sideline "reviewing stand" has been a tradition for about 20 years, said Vic Vesper, who borrowed the idea from the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Va. The Un-Judges set up court Saturday on a high lawn lined with a concrete wall, looking down on the 800 block of West King Street.