It was nearly perfect weather as The 50th Annual Lehighton Halloween Parade was held after being canceled last year due to COVID-19.

While this parade was smaller than in previous years, it still drew the crowds, and the kids loved running after the candy being tossed to them.

This year’s grand marshal was Robert Silliman, a man who has been very active in the community, serving as president of the Carbon County Fair and for his work with area organizations like the Palmerton Lions Club and the Lehighton Area Lioness Lions Club.

Lehighton Police Chief Brian Biechy and Mayor Clark Ritter led the parade, followed by the Lehighton UVO Color Guard.

The Lehighton Area High School “Indian Pride” marching band and cheerleaders were one of two bands in the parade; the other was the Allentown Hobo Band.

Both bands have been in the Halloween Parade for many of the 50 years of the history of the parade.

Four area fire companies led the four divisions: Lehighton Volunteer Fire Company, Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, Parryville Volunteer Fire Company, and Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Company, along with Lehighton Ambulance and Mahoning Valley Ambulance.

Girl Scout Troop 3802 won for the best Girl Scout Troop, with all the members dressed in a variety of costumes.

The Lehighton Area Soccer Club, who won for best Sports display, had a float with the theme of “Where’s Waldo,” with many of the members dressed in the traditional red and white striped shirts like Waldo.

Best Boy Scout award winner, Troop 187, had a spooky Halloween float.

And George’s Sewer & Drain Cleaning won for best decorated business with a float featuring an inflatable outhouse and two people dressed in costume as the “poop” emoji.

The winners were:

Church category, first, Bethany Wesleyan Church.

Dance/Tumble groups: first, Tumble With Denise; second, Dance with Kim

Boy Scouts: First, Cub Scout Troop 187

Girl Scouts: first, Girls Scout troop 3802; second, Girl Scout troop 3801; and third, Girl Scout troop 3241

Car groups: first, Jukebox Cruisers; second, Pharoahs Car Club

Sports: First, Lehighton Area Soccer Club

Queen: First, LHS Homecoming court; second, Carbon County Fair Queen

Clubs: First, Lehighton Area Lioness/Lions Club; second, Lehighton Downtown Partners

Racecars: First, Mahoning Valley Speedway Race Cars; second, Miller Motorsports

Decorated Businesses: First, George’s Sewer & Drain Cleaning; second, Crystal Spring Tree Farm & Pumpkin Patch; third, Klingle’s Lawn Care

Donations are still being accepted to offset the costs of the parade. Donations may be sent to the Lehighton Area Halloween Parade Committee, P.O. Box 241, Lehighton, PA, 18235.