In Lehighton on Saturday, children were put into large cages, then hauled through the streets of the town for all to see.

There were life-size Minions walking about.Strangers were throwing candy to children who accepted it willingly, and the parents didn't mind.Of course it was all in fun, and all during the 45th annual Lehighton Area Halloween Parade.The six-division line of march with four bands took about an hour to pass.Judy Harris, a member of the Lehighton Area Halloween Parade Committee, said she was thrilled with the many themes utilized and the creativity on display.The children in cages, incidentally, were members of Jack & Jill Preschool of Lehighton. Their theme was "We're Wild About Jack & Jill Preschool.""Minions" was a popular summer movie. Dressed as the lovable characters depicted in the film were members of Junior Girl Scout Troop 3248.For children along the parade route, it was a candy bonanza as firefighters, politicians, marchers, commercial participants and people on floats tossed handfuls in their direction.Eight-year-old Pete Smith of Jim Thorpe said his favorite characters were walking Legos. These were members of Lehighton Cub Pack 145."I also liked the pirates," he said. The pirates were a large float and about 18 marchers representing Jim Thorpe National Bank. It was a well-constructed float with a pirate ship depicted complete with cannons and cannonballs.Harris said this year members of the Jukebox Cruisers Car Club were used as division dividers for the parade.The parade was led by the Lehighton Police Department, the Lehighton United Veterans Organization and the Lehighton Area High School Marching Band.Next came the parade's grand marshals, Lehighton historians Lamont "Mike" Ebbert and Gordon Ripkey. Both have offered their expertise and resources on the borough's history to organizers of Lehighton's 150th anniversary which will be celebrated June 25 to July 2, 2016.Besides the Lehighton Area High School Marching Band, other bands participating were the Perseverance Jazz Band, Rajah Oriental Band and The Almost Hobo Band. The Mahoning Valley Drum Circle also provided music.Judges for the parade were Gloria Bowman, Martha Cox and Clark Ritter.Gaining first place prizes were:• Daisy Troops - Troop 3801, "Fancy As Flamingos."• Girl Scouts - Brownies 33 and Daisy 3102, "Our Future Is Sweet."• Cub Packs - Cub Pack 145, "Legos: Building Our Future."• Special Group Award - Franklin Township Athletic Association, "Scary Softball Girls."• Car - Bennett Collision Center, "Distracted Driver."• Preschool and Day Care - Helping Hands, "Life is Sweet At Lil Helping Hands."• Small Floats - Jim Thorpe National Bank, "Invest Your Treasure at JTNB." The marchers wore pirate costumes behind a similar-themed float.• Miscellaneous - Reaper's Revenge Haunted Attraction.• Dance Groups - Trish's Dance Xtreme, "Wild About Dance."• Sports Groups - Tumble With Denise, "Jungle Gym."Harris said a "best of show" award will also be presented although the recipient hasn't been officially decided.