With parade fever in the air, it might be a good time to remind Yorkers that those annual traditions don't pay for themselves.

Sure, Halloween might be seven months away. But -- with a little help from St. Patrick -- it can't be too early for the York YWCA to ask for a little financial help.

After five years of struggling to raise enough money for the Halloween Parade, the YWCA said 2011 would likely be its last year as the parade's organizer. Then, because of a freak snowstorm, the YWCA had to cancel what would have been the 62nd annual event.

"That's just kind of a sad last note," Katie Mahoney, the YWCA's special events coordinator, said Tuesday. "If we can find support, we'd like to give it another shot."

The Halloween Parade costs about $30,000 to put on, and the top sponsor has traditionally paid half that cost, Mahoney said.

For $15,000, a top sponsor gets to lead the parade and see its name prominently displayed.

"It comes with pretty much every perk you can think of. It's a great marketing opportunity," Mahoney said.

Of course, the YWCA will happily accept donations of any amount. In fact, the group relies on smaller donations to make up the balance of the parade's cost.

To create some buzz later this year, the YWCA is coming up with some fresh ideas

that would "keep the tradition going."

For example, Mahoney said, there could be a costume contest this year.

The popular parade was attended by about 25,000 people in 2010.

"No one wants to see it go," Mahoney said. "Everyone is pulling for us to keep it. But, in order to do that, we need community support."

Anyone interested in sponsoring the Halloween Parade should contact Mahoney at kmahoney@ywcayork.org or at 717-845-2631.

-- Reach Erin James at 505-5439 or ejame s@yorkdispatch.com.