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To the Editor:
On behalf of the Mifflin County Commissioners, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make our Red, White & Goose Day Parade on September 29 in downtown Lewistown such a memorable and successful celebration.
An event of this magnitude does not happen without the generosity, cooperation, hard work, and community spirit of many people. We are deeply thankful to the parade participants, volunteers, local businesses, public safety personnel, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to bring this special event to life.
We also extend a special thank-you to The Sentinel for helping promote the parade through an excellent feature story and advertisements published in multiple editions of the newspaper. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Rocco Pallotto and Merf Radio for inviting me on the air to promote the parade and explain the parade route in advance. We are equally grateful to the other local radio stations that mentioned the parade and encouraged their listeners to attend. The support of our local media helped spread the word and build excitement for this special community celebration.
As board president of the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, I felt it was important to organize a parade that would put an exclamation point on all the wonderful Goose Day activities that took place throughout the week. I believe the parade accomplished that goal, and I am grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.
When I decided to take on the challenge of organizing a parade, I turned to two county employees, Paula Hoffman and Jimmy Conway, to spearhead the parade registration process. They did an outstanding job! On parade night, Paula managed participant check-in while Jimmy coordinated the lineup of parade entries. Their hard work, dedication, and attention to detail were instrumental in making the evening run smoothly, and they deserve a special thank-you.
We are especially proud that our award-winning Mifflin County Marching Band participated and showcased its incredible talent. We also extend a special thank-you to the Penns Valley Marching Band for accepting our invitation and bringing so much excitement and energy to the parade. I believe marching bands are among the things that truly make a parade special, and having both high school bands participate added tremendously to the atmosphere and enjoyment of the evening.
We also want to thank the many residents and visitors who lined the streets of downtown Lewistown to celebrate with us. Your enthusiasm, smiles, applause, and support helped create the wonderful atmosphere that makes Goose Day such a cherished tradition throughout the Juniata River Valley.
This year’s Red, White & Goose Day Parade was about much more than floats, music, and festivities. It was an opportunity to celebrate our community, honor our traditions, and bring people together in a spirit of patriotism, pride, and fellowship. Seeing so many people come together is a powerful reminder of what makes Mifflin County such a special place to live, work, and raise a family.
To everyone who contributed in any way, please know that your efforts did not go unnoticed. The success of this celebration belongs to all of you. We are fortunate to live in a community where people are willing to step forward, lend a hand, and work together to make something special happen.
Thank you for helping make the Red, White & Goose Day Parade a celebration we can all be proud of. We look forward to building on this year’s success and seeing everyone again for next year’s Goose Day Parade on Wednesday, September 29, 2027!
Sincerely,
Kevin P. Kodish
Mifflin County Commissioner
Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau Board President