Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween parade set

FINDLAY — Two Halloween events are planned for the local Findlay area in October. The 2025 Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween Parade presented by loanDepot will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 21, and the citywide trick-or-treat event is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 25. Neighborhood participants are encouraged to follow local safety guidelines during trick-or-treating. The parade will take place on South Main Street. This year's theme is "Be a Hero, Be a Champion." Parade participants are encouraged to highlight individuals or groups they consider champions and heroes, including community helpers, public figures or personal role models. "This parade is about community, creativity, and connection," said Teresa White, director of the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20 Foundation, in a release. "We can't wait to see how participants bring our theme to life." Early bird parade registration opens at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 8. Standard registration begins at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1. The final deadline to register is midnight on Oct. 14. Entries are open to families, schools, businesses and organizations. Space is limited and fills quickly, so early registration is encouraged. Visit https://copsandkidsfindlay.org/halloween-parade to register an entry. Back by popular demand, the State Bank Judges' Square will give parade entries a chance to earn bragging rights and special recognition. Located at South Main Street and Baldwin Avenue, the Judges' Square hosts a panel of local celebrities, sponsors and community leaders. Award categories for 2025 include: the loanDepot Best of Show, Valgroup Flag City USA Award, Marathon Pipe Line John Hancock Award, loanDepot Foundation Favorite, Valgroup Funniest Entry, National Lime & Stone Kid's Choice Award, loanDepot Most Original Entry, McGuire & Sons Trucking People's Choice Award, National Lime & Stone Scariest Entry, State Bank Spirit of Halloween and Great Lakes Toyota Subaru Best Theme Award. Nominations for the Halloween Parade king and queen are now open. Community members can submit their candidates by clicking the "Nominate Our King and Queen" button on the parade website. Finalists will be chosen by the parade committee. The crowned king and queen will be honored with sashes and crowns and will join the Judges' Square platform to assist in the awards process. The parade will head north on Main Street from Sixth Street to Lima Street, with exits available on East and West Lima streets. One of the special zones will be the McGuire & Sons Trucking Candy Zone, which is designated for handing out Halloween treats. This area will be clearly marked with banners. The Valgroup Quiet Zone is a sensory-friendly space in the final half-block of the parade route near St. Mark's United Methodist Church. This zone offers a calm and inclusive environment for those who may be overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the parade. New this year, Great Lakes Toyota Subaru will present a performance by Findlay First Edition at State Bank Judges' Square. The live performance will kick off immediately after the National Anthem at 7 p.m. and continue until the parade arrives. The musical kickoff will add extra excitement for early spectators and highlight community talent ahead of the evening's main event. The Romick Wealth Strategies Food Truck Park will be located in the parking lot at St. Marks. Registration is now open for licensed food truck vendors who wish to participate. Vendors are required to register online at https://copsandkidsfindlay.org/halloween-parade Proceeds from the parade benefit the Cops & Kids Champion Fund, which supports programs that foster positive relationships between local youth and law enforcement throughout the year. Follow updates and announcements at facebook.com/FortFindlayFOP.