The Northern Lehigh Halloween Parade is unique that it not only passes through two towns, but participants march in two different counties.

The 113th annual parade was held Saturday in Slatington (Lehigh County) and Walnutport (Northampton County).

Despite weather forecasts calling for scattered showers, the parade was held under mostly clear skies in mild temperatures.

It featured three divisions, four marching bands and took about an hour to pass.

Besides the array of floats, wild costumes, a large turnout of marchers and plenty of candy tossed to young spectators, the parade featured apparatus from eight different fire departments.

Tiffany Rehrig-Schaeffer, chairman of the parade committee, said, “After days of wondering if the weather would hold out, the forecast cleared and the 113th Northern Lehigh Halloween Parade was able to be held as scheduled on Saturday. After last year’s pause due to COVID, the committee was excited to have the parade returning to the streets of Northern Lehigh.”

She said, “This year’s parade featured over 40 participants in three divisions including the Fralinger String Band from Philadelphia and the Celtic United Pipes and Drums from Bethlehem.”

Rehrig-Schaeffer has been serving as parade chairman since 2018, when she took over the position that had been held by her late uncle, Russ Hallman. She has served on the parade committee since 2015.

There were two judges’ stands, one in Slatington and the other in Walnutport. The scores of the judges were combined to determine the winners.

The parade was led by the Slatington and Walnutport police departments riding side-by-side through the route.

The Slatington American Legion Color Guard followed. They had a large float depicting the various services as well as a flag-draped coffin to remind spectators of sacrifices made by veterans.

From then on, the seriousness was minimal as ghouls, witches, monsters and strange beasts all passed on the route.

Anthony Keller of Palmerton echoed what most parade viewers felt, saying, “I think it’s a great parade. It’s good for the community and good for the kids.”

The parade had a clown, an Elvis impersonator, the Geico Gecko and Santa Claus.

The Slatington Rotary Club members pushed shopping carts, collecting food for the needy.

The bands participating were the Northern Lehigh High School Band, looking sharp in their regular uniforms; the Northwestern Lehigh High School Band, having fun wearing a myriad of costumes, the Fralinger String Band from Philadelphia, wearing Mummer’s type garb, and the Celtic Pipe and Drums of Bethlehem, wearing kilts and playing bagpipes and drums.

All youth sporting teams from the Northern Lehigh were featured in the parade, most of them riding on floats.

Rehrig-Schaeffer said, “The committee would like to thank the following: Slatington, Walnutport, and Lehigh Township Fire Police, Ed Bechtel, Bellview Pump, Seth Schaeffer, Clifford Rehrig, Dominic Barone, Marc Grammes, Blue Ridge Cable TV 13, Kristel Hernandez, Marissa Ruth, Nicole and Louie Joy, and Greg Grammes.”

Parade winners are:

• Judges Award - Presented in memory of Russ Hallman (awarded to the parade entry with the overall highest score) to Anna’s Goblins.

• Individual - 1. Pitstop, 2. Paul Green.

• Small Group - 1 Northern Lehigh Field Hockey, 2. Northern Lehigh Girl Scouts.

• Small Float - 1. NLYAA Soccer, 2. Enchanted Meadow.

• Large Group - Emerald Dragon Karate, 2. Cub Pack 66.

• Large Float - 1. NLYAA Cheerleaders, 2. NLYAA football.