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| Baton twirlers for the Easton Area High School Marching Band dressed as cats for the annual Great Phillipsburg- Easton Halloween Parade on Sunday afternoon. The band was awarded the trophy for "Best Marching Band" in the event. Click on any photo for a full size view |
Broken into five divisions, about 60 local organizations and businesses took part in the annual October event, which was cancelled last year due to the effects of Superstorm Sandy.
But the break only seemed to give this year's crowd more enthusiasm, as children scrambled for candy thrown by some of the parade participants.
Many spectators, including a few pets, came dressed in costume for the occasion too.
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| The head of the parade was led by elected officials from both
Phillipsburg and Easton, including mayors Harry Wyant and Sal Panto. |
The head of the parade was led by elected officials from both Phillipsburg and Easton, including mayors Harry Wyant and Sal Panto.
Four judges, two from New Jersey and two from Pennsylvania, judged the event participants, and a number of the entrants were awarded trophies in various categories.
Trophy winners were:
- Best Marching Band - Easton Area High School Red Rovers Marching Band
- Best Marching Entry - Two Rivers Roller Derby
- Best Community Youth Entry - Cub Scout Pack No. 51
- Best Float - St James Lutheran Church
- Most Original Entry - Dance Phillipsburg
- Chamber's Choice - Garden State Crewzers PT Cruiser Club
- Grand Marshal's Choice/Best of Parade - American Legion Riders Palmer Township Post 9
While in recent years, the event has been organized by the Warren County Chamber of Commerce, the Great Phillipsburg-Easton Halloween parade has a decades-long history, having formerly been an annual Jaycees event.
Having all ages take part in an annual Halloween parade is a tradition in Easton that goes back at least a century too, as one that was organized in the city's South Side neighborhood in 1913 encouraged "older people to come out with masks and costumes, and to be young again."
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| Many spectators dressed up for the occasion as well. |
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| The Phillipsburg High School Marching Band led the first parade division over the bridge into Easton. |
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| Girl Scouts and Brownies from Phillipsburg NJ strut their stuff. |
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| Members of the Boys and Girls Club of Easton chose a "superheroes against bullying" theme. |
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| The Easton Area Middle School Marching Band lead the second division into Easton. |
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| Balloons the Clown is a familiar sight at many Easton events. |
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| The Wilson Area High School Warrior Marching Band struts their stuff. |
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| Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, who is running for Northampton County Executive, took the opportunity to pass out candy to kids, or as he called them "future voters" at the Great Phillipsburg-Easton Parade on Sunday. |
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| A mini British invasion... |
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| American Legion Post 9 in Palmer Township built a float to commemorate those who lost their lives in war. |
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| One canine spectator was dressed as a gladiator's mount, while his companion was adorned with a Batman costume. |
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| Two spectating princesses wave to parade participants. |
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| Members of the Easton Area High School Marching Band approach the grandstand. |
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| Even some of the sousaphones in the parade came costumed for Halloween. |
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| Two Rivers Roller Derby girls show off their skills while passing out candy to the crowd. The group was awarded the trophy for "Best Marching Group" for their efforts. |
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| One participant's entry celebrated the Mexican Day of the Dead, traditionally celebrated the day after Halloween, on November 1. |
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| Young marchers get ready to toss candy to the crowd. |
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| Easton Guardian Angels wave to spectators. |
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| Some Easton Cub Scouts got a ride, while others pushed and marched. |
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| Santa Claus, atop a Pohatcong fire truck, brought up the rear of the parade, reminding everyone present of the upcoming holiday seaston. |
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