Cheery floats, scary costumes, and plenty of rah-rahs and hut, hut, hikes.

Amid plentiful sunshine, residents crowded Delaware Avenue on Sunday in anticipation of the 19th annual Palmerton Halloween Parade.The parade didn't disappoint, according to Susie Arner, parade chairperson."It was a wonderful day with perfect weather that culminated with lots of fun and smiling faces," Arner said. "The parade was great thanks to the hard work of the participants who developed some very creative entries."Sponsored by the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce, the four-division parade followed a different route this year, as it started at Seventh Street and Delaware Avenue. From there, it went up Delaware to Third Street, and then turned left onto Franklin. It then continued to Second Street, and traveled up Second to Lafayette Avenue, where it turned right and continued to Seventh Street, at which time it disbanded.Arner said the committee was pleased with the route as it was this year, and added it plans for it to be the same next year.However, Arner noted an issue of great concern to the parade committee remains the safety of participants, as well as spectators."It is imperative that everyone in the future remain off the parade route with their vehicles once the streets are closed," she said. "Everyone must remain at the edge of the curb to view the parade; please do not go out into the street near the vehicles to pick up candy, (as) everyone's safety is more important than any candy."The parade was led off by the Palmerton Police Department; Parade Grand Marshal Al Kohler; Palmerton United Veterans Organization Color Guard; Palmerton

V.F.W. vehicles; and the Carbon County Sheriff Office.Those who made up Division 1 of the parade were Palmerton Community Ambulance; Lehigh Valley Italian-American Band; Palmerton Junior High Cheerleaders; Palmerton High School JV Cheerleaders; Palmerton High School Varsity Cheerleaders; Palmerton Area High School Homecoming King and Queen 2010; Haunting at the Waldorf; SS Palmer/Parkside PTO; Cub Pack 209; Carbon County Fair Queen 2009; Brownie Troop 33412, and Palmerton Fire Company.Division 2 consisted of the Palmerton Ambulance; Palmerton Booster Club 100 lb. football team; Brownie Troop 3259 and Girl Scout Troop 37; Little Miss Tiny Tot Lehighton Park with Ahner Racing; Palmerton Booster Club 85 lb. football team; Cub Pack 41; Girl Scout troop 3112; Committee to elect Doyle Heffley; Kenlin Dance Academy; Girl Scout Troop 3580 and 3127 small float;" and Aquashicola Lower Towamensing Volunteer Fire Co.The Third Division was comprised of the Palmerton Ambulance; "DK' Disc Jockey Kings; Yensers Tree Farm; Towamensing Soccer Club; Tumble with Denise; Girl Scout Troop 3248; Palmerton Booster Club Flag Cheering; Tyson Family; Palmerton Booster Club Flag Football; and the Towamensing Fire Department.Participants who composed Division 4 were the Palmerton Ambulance; Palmerton Booster Club 85 lb. cheerleaders; Palmerton Area Youth Group; Palmerton Booster Club 130 lb. cheerleaders; ACS Relay for Life; Committee to Elect Justin Yaich State Rep.; Palmerton Booster Club 130 lb. football team; North Side Cruisers; Palmerton Towamensing Baseball and Softball League; Palmerton Booster Club 100 lb. cheerleaders; S&S Motor sports; Carbon County Republican Committee; Bowmanstown Fire Co.; Parryville Fire Co; East Penn Volunteer Fire Company; Palmerton Ambulance; Palmerton Fire Department.The emcee duties were performed by parade announcer Steve Vlossak. Judges were Susie George, Connie Reinhart and Louise Koons.Monetary awards were provided through parade sponsors, as well as donations received from the spectators along the parade route.Parade winners were:Best Appearing Non Costumed Group: 1. Palmerton JV Cheerleaders 2. Booster Club 130 lb. cheerleaders 3. Palmerton Middle School cheerleaders.Best Appearing Costumed Group: 1. Palmerton Booster Club 100 lb. Cheerleaders "Circus" 2. Tumble with Denise "Tumbling Potato Heads" Honorable Mention - Girl Scout Troop 3248 "Deck of Cards" with a cheer.Small Floats: Judges Choice for Outstanding Small Float: Girl Scout Troop 3112 "Girl Scouts are Sweet" 1. Girl Scout Troop 33412 "The Game of Candy Land" 2. Palmerton Booster Club 130 lb. Football "Caging the Competition" 3. Palmerton Booster Club Flag Football "The Wrecking Crew" 4. Kenlin Dance Academy "We've Got Class Come Take One with Us" Honorable Mention - Girl Scout Troops 3580 and 3127 "Snow White and Her Dwarfs Love Halloween" Honorable Mention - S.S. Palmer/Parkside Elementary PTO "It's a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" Honorable Mention - Junior Troop 37 and Brownie Troop 3259 "Pants on the Ground."Large Floats: Judges Choice for Overall Outstanding Large Float - Palmerton Towamensing Baseball and Softball "Put Me in Coach"; Judges Choice for Outstanding Bomber Float - Palmerton Booster Club Flag Cheerleaders "Bomber Princesses"; 1. Palmerton Booster Club 85 lb. Cheerleaders "Follow the Blue Brick Road to Victory" 2. Palmerton Booster Club 100 lb. Football "Zombies R Us" 3. Palmerton Booster Club 85 lb. football "Burying the Competition"; Honorable Mention - Palmerton Booster Club Flag Cheerleaders "Bomber Princesses; Honorable Mention - Cub Pack 209 "100 Years of Scouting"; Honorable Mention - Disc Jockey Kings "Jersey Shore".Decorated Automotive: 1. Tyson Family "Ghostbusterrs Who You Gonna Call" 2. S &S Motorsports 3. Cancer Society Relay For Life.Non-Decorated Automotive: 1. Carbon County Fair Queen and Court 2010; Best Patriotic Theme - 1. Yensers Tree Farm "Trees for Troops" 2. Palmerton VFW.