Spectators lined the streets of Andreas during the town's 63rd annual Halloween Parade Parade Wednesday night. The parade is hosted every year by members of the West Penn Lions/Lioness Club, Andreas Sporting Club, Andreas VFW Post 5069 and others.

More than two dozen organizations took part in the parade, including the Tamaqua Raider Marching Band, fire companies, church groups, Scouts and local residents. Judges this year were Marie Gursky, Ronald Yeakel and Tina Scott.Leading the parade was West Penn Township Police Chief Brian Johnson, followed by the Andreas VFW Post 5069 Color Guard. This year's grand marshal was District Governor Lizanne McElwee, Lions Club, District 14-U. McElwee has been a Lion just over 19 years and routinely volunteers her time with the area Leo clubs, Carbon County Fair, and numerous other local events.Placing in top positions in the float category were West Penn Girl Scouts (Daisy Troop 31208, Brownie Troop 31108, Junior Troop 30975), which placed third; Andreas Cub Scouts Troop 756, which placed second; and Best Friends KISS float, which placed first.Placing top in the marching float were winners Lehighton Cadette Troop 3583, which placed third; Lehighton Brownie Troop 3862, which placed second; and Tamaqua Daisy Troop 31210, which placed first."This was a great event," said Bob Neumoyer, who has served as master of ceremonies for over five years. "Everybody really got a kick out of the creative floats and costumes."Neumoyer also praised the 120-member Tamaqua Raider Marching Band for its participation in the parade. The costumed band included a complement of 40 band front members, made up of cheerleaders, majorettes, silks and honor guard. The band, which hosted this year's Land of Running Water Band Adjudication recently, also received a gold rating at this year's Tournament of the Bands at Blue Mountain last weekend.Parade chairwoman and coordinator Lisa Sharpe expressed her appreciation to a number of organizations that help with the parade every year. Some additional mentions were Lester Kistler, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Quakake Fire Company, West Penn Fire Company, West Penn Police Department and West Penn Fire Police.Sharpe added that the parade couldn't remain a great parade without all the hard working volunteers and the yearly participation of numerous organizations and dedicated individuals.