Monsters and ghouls of all shapes and sizes tantalized a crowd estimated at 8,000 Tuesday at Tamaqua's largest yearly nighttime spectacle.

"It's a great thing for the town and great to see all of these people turn out," said Tom Banditelli, who served as a judge for the Tamaqua Halloween Parade.The popular event is sponsored by the Tamaqua Lions Club assisted by the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce.Relatively mild temperatures and clear skies lured even the most ghost-shy area residents to the outdoors for a night of fresh air. Crowds lined both sides of Broad Street for 10 blocks."I always come to Tamaqua's parade because there's something special about a nighttime Halloween parade," said Anita Smith of Conyngham.The evening was a family affair for spectator Pam Dumond of West Penn Township accompanied by youngsters Brianna Dumond and Alden Gilbert, both 13. The trio brought along two canines dressed for the occasion. Dogs Nyx and Cheyenne, one a German shepherd, the other a spaniel, masqueraded as a pumpkin and a shark.Many commented on the large turnout.Linda Yulanavage, chamber executive director, estimated the crowd at several thousand."It's always hard to guess but there could be 8,000," she commented.As floats and marchers passed the judges' stand in front of chamber headquarters at the 200 block of West Broad Street, Yulanavage reflected on the work behind the scenes."It's a monstrous task to put this parade together. Logistically it's very hard."For instance, volunteers from the Tamaqua Wireless Association are needed to set up control stations at strategic locations along the parade route.Yulanavage said the parade simply couldn't function as well without their help."They provide a valuable service. They let us know what's coming up next."The two-hour parade stepped off promptly at 7 p.m. and drew entrants from a wide region.Some of the marching and dance groups stopped briefly to perform at the judges' stand where master of ceremonies Jack Kulp welcomed the various groups to the community and introduced the talent to spectators.In an especially moving moment, Kulp saluted the Tamaqua Community Ambulance Association as their vehicles and personnel passed the reviewing stand."Here they are taking part in the parade after saving five lives today during a carbon monoxide event on Orwigsburg Street," Kulp told the crowd.Spectacular floats with self-contained lighting lit up Broad Street from one end of town to the other.In between, dancers dazzled the throngs.Members of the Dance Factory, for example, were a crowd favorite, portraying realistic zombies as they gyrated to the "Monster Mash" tune.Their presentation - both creepy and synchronized - earned them the Best of Show award, followed by the magical spectacle of the Eclectic Circus, which grabbed a close second.Third place was captured by Tamaqua Knee-Hi Football and Cheerleaders."This event is good community outreach," said Maureen Donovan, Tamaqua, one of the judges."And what is a community without children," she said. "This parade brings out the best in our community."