Have you seen the signs around downtown Decatur?  Homegrown Decatur sent out this press release that provides all the details for this Sunday’s Halloween Parade…

 HOMEGROWN Decatur announced that the annual HAINTS & SAINTS Parade, sponsored by Atlanta’s own Voice Of The Arts, AM 1690, will be held on October 26, 2014. HomeGrown owners Lori Ronca and Beth Thompson strive to bring the intown Atlanta community together to celebrate Decatur’s rich history, revive the excitement of a community parade, and to hopefully, bring the weird out in all of us!

Decatur’s parade history began back in 1899 with Maury Mable. Ole’ Maury donned his black silk top hat and paraded down Ponce de Leon Ave annually for 51 years. Sometimes the parades were huge; sometimes they were just him!  Rolling holiday parades have been scarce of late. That is, until the fun-loving HomeGrown Decatur gals decided to bring parading back to Decatur Maury Mable style!

Get a look at historic photos of old Decatur and Mr. Mable leading the parade here

The event begins at noon with the HAINTS & SAINTS Classic Car and Hearse Cruise In on Trinity St. in the Callaway Building parking lot. Folks from all walks of life are sure to be wowed by the tricked out rides and music provided by Decatur’s own bluegrass band, The Porch Bottom Boys.

Line up for the HAINTS & SAINTS Halloween Parade begins at 3 p.m. for vehicles and floats at the Decatur Post office, located at 520 W.Ponce de Leon Ave., followed by the walkers at 3:30. Anyone may walk or roll in the parade; floats, bands, and groups larger than 5 can register online at www.decaturhalloweenparade.com. As the parade begins at 4 p.m., the police will do a rolling closure in front of the parade.

Baton Bob will be on hand, dressed in his own black silk top hat, Maury Mable style, to lead the way.

Wait! There’s more fantastic weird fun to come! As the parade wraps up, let the HAINTS & SAINTS Jam commence! Bands, including, Wasted Potential Brass Band, Black Sheep Ensemble, Mercury Orkestar, and Scofflaw will take turns jamming in the Gazebo on the square.

All proceeds will benefit The HomeGrown Grant for the Arts and will be administered through the Decatur Education Foundation and Decatur Arts Alliance, with a focus on Arts education and seed grant funding for emerging artists. A group of select local artists have tricked out a vintage fridge, soda machine turned into beer cooler and an amazing custom corn hole board set. Yours for the bidding.

After such a full day of getting your weird on, we know you will be famished and parched! Be sure to visit one of the many amazing restaurants and watering holes in downtown Decatur; many will be offering specials for parade participants.

Information and details at www.decaturhalloweenparade.com