Palmerton parade lights up the night

Mr. Pickles “returned” to the Palmerton Halloween parade with a big prize and a local Girl Scout troop’s circus act took home top small float honors as well Monday night.

Kory Rabenold Productions won the judges’ choice overall outstanding large float honor with its “Mr. Pickles Returns” theme.

The float both dazzled and spooked the crowd with its multiple performers and aesthetically pleasing horror scenes.

Paradegoers, both young and old, lined the streets of Palmerton hoping to snag some early candy. The parade went off a day late after rain showers postponed Sunday afternoon’s originally scheduled event, but Monday yielded a cool but comfortable night to take in the festivities.

“I think a lot of people actually enjoyed it being held at night,” said Mildred Morgan, who brought her granddaughter to see the parade. “It’s a little something different and I think it added to the event.”

Almost every organization scheduled to participate Sunday was able to make Monday’s date.

Judges’ choice for outstanding Palmerton Sports Group large floats went to the Palmerton Booster Club varsity cheerleaders with its “Varsity Fearless” theme, and the Palmerton Booster Club junior varsity cheering squad with its “Bombers Back to the ’80s” theme.

First place in the large floats category went to Palmerton Booster Club’s rookie and flag football cheerleaders with their “Strong Bomber Women” theme, followed by Palmerton Booster Club junior varsity football’s “Greatest Show on Turf,” and Palmerton Booster Club’s rookie football “Webbing the Future.”

Honorable mention in large floats went to Carbon County Special Olympics, Lehigh Valley Quarter Midget Racing Club, Palmerton Youth Wrestling, and Towamensing Soccer Club.

First place in the small float went to Girl Scout Troop 329, which went with a “Big Top Circus” theme.

Booster Club Flag Football’s “Bombers Revenge” and Cub Pack 209’s Race Into Scouting finished second and third in small floats respectively. Honorable mention went to the Palmerton Hungarian Club Auxiliary.

Gus and Hollywood the Brahmans were the lone entrant and winner of the best appearing individual category.

“Their uniqueness and cute demeanor wowed the judges,” parade organizer Susan Arner said.

First place for best appearing costumed group went to Girl Scout Troops 3248 and 3862 with their “Scouting For Treasure” theme, followed by Girl Scout Troop 33416’s “Girls Can Do Anything,” and Girl Scout Troop 3259’s “We Are All The Same Inside.” Honorable Mention went to Girl Scout Troop 301 and 348’s “We Are Stranger Scouts.”

Dance With Kim dancers took home first prize in the best appearing non-costumed group, followed by Palmerton High School cheerleaders in second and the Palmerton junior high cheerleaders with an honorable mention.

Top honors in the automotive group went to the Carbon County Savages with “Football Is Our Game,” followed by the Pacemakers and Gombert Family Amusements’ “Choo Choo.” Larry Hahn’s 1943 Jeep and the Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches received honorable mention. Palmerton’s VFW was voted most patriotic group.