Droves of Trick-or-Treaters Haunt the Streets of Easton

By Christina Georgiou

A small group of trick-or-treaters cross Ferry Street in Easton's
West Ward on Halloween night in search of sweets.

Last year, Superstorm Sandy nearly canceled Halloween entirely. The year before, a freak ice storm put a serious damper on the holiday.

So perhaps it's no wonder that Easton kids seemed more eager than usual this year to don their costumes and hit the streets at the first opportunity to go trick-or-treating and claim a generous share of candy.

Hordes of children and their parents were seen parading the sidewalks seconds after the official trick-or-treat time began at 6 p.m., often in groups of a dozen or two at a clip, with the traditional cry of "trick or treat!" on their lips as they stopped at the numerous houses where people with buckets of candy doled out treats. Polite choruses of "thank you!" followed in nearly every case.

Children collect candy from a house along Ferry Street
Thursday evening.
Click on any photo for a full size view.

In many cases, those buckets and bowls were emptied long before the designated trick-or-treat time--8 p.m.--had come even close to expiring.

Along the 900 block of Ferry Street, most were candy-less by 6:30 p.m. or shortly thereafter.

"We bought $50 worth of candy. I can't believe I'm out," said one father whose children were out trick-or-treating with his wife. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Maybe go in the house, turn off the lights and hide."

Two doors down, one woman mused that she might start giving out quarters as her supply of sweets dwindled.

A block up the street, the supply lasted a little longer, but not much.

The Easton Weed and Seed "Light the Night" event in
Centennial Park drew hundreds of trick-or-treaters
last night for Halloween.

"I've never seen this many trick-or-treaters," said one woman, as she handed out candy. "I don't think my supply is going to hold out."

But the costumed crowd seemed undaunted by the houses that ran out of candy before their arrival, and shrugging, they moved on in search of more sweets.

Hundreds of trick-or-treaters in the West Ward converged on Easton Weed and Seed's "Light the Night" event at Centennial Park, at South 12th and Ferry streets. The event's popularity and location may account too for why so many houses along the Ferry Street route were host to the inordinate number of trick-or-treaters.

Lit by strings of light bulbs, "Light the Night" attendees enjoyed hundreds of hot dogs provided by business owner Nick Alfero and hot chocolate and cookies served up by Rose of Sharon Church.

A Lafayette College sorority member hands out candy
at the Easton Weed and Seed "Light the Night" event
held at Centennial Park on Halloween Thursday evening.

Greek organizations from Lafayette College, along with Easton police and fire department members, handed out small mountains of candy to trick-or-treaters, joined by a number of local community groups, including the Easton Area Community Center, the Crime Victims Council, Legacy Ministries, and a number of individuals who donated their time--and more candy--to the event.

But even well-stocked, some at the event ran out of sweets.

"We spent $500 on candy," one Lafayette College sorority member was overheard saying a little after 7 p.m. "I can't believe it's all gone."

Another Lafayette group, undeterred, passed out Pop-Tarts in place of candy when their supply ran out.

Members of the Easton Police Department hand out
candy bars to trick-or-treaters during Easton Weed
and Seed's "Light the Night" event Thursday night
at Centennial Park.

But the crowds of costumed children didn't seem at all unhappy. All the sweets had, after all, been transferred into their well-stuffed trick-or-treat bags.

 

Zombies were very popular this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Great Phillipsburg-Easton Parade Draws Crowd of Thousands

By Christina Georgiou

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

Several thousand people of all ages lined streets in Phillipsburg, NJ and Easton Sunday afternoon to watch the Great Phillipsburg-Easton Halloween Parade.

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.

The head of the parade was led by elected officials from both
Phillipsburg and Easton, including mayors Harry Wyant and Sal Panto.

The parade kicked off along Main Street in Phillipsburg, proceeded over the Delaware River free bridge to Northampton Street in Easton, reaching its final destination just past the grandstand on Centre Square.

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."

Many spectators dressed up for the occasion as well.

The Phillipsburg High School Marching Band led the first parade division
over the bridge into Easton.

Girl Scouts and Brownies from Phillipsburg NJ strut their stuff.

Members of the Boys and Girls Club of Easton chose a "superheroes against bullying" theme.

The Easton Area Middle School Marching Band lead the second division into Easton.

Balloons the Clown is a familiar sight at many Easton events.

The Wilson Area High School Warrior Marching Band struts their stuff.

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.

A mini British invasion...

American Legion Post 9 in Palmer Township built a float
to commemorate those who lost their lives in war.

One canine spectator was dressed as a gladiator's mount, while his
companion was adorned with a Batman costume.

Two spectating princesses wave to parade participants.

Members of the Easton Area High School Marching Band approach the grandstand.

Even some of the sousaphones in the parade came costumed for
Halloween.

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.

One participant's entry celebrated the Mexican Day of the Dead, traditionally
celebrated the day after Halloween, on November 1.

Young marchers get ready to toss candy to the crowd.

 

Easton Guardian Angels wave to spectators.

Some Easton Cub Scouts got a ride, while others pushed and marched.

Santa Claus, atop a Pohatcong fire truck, brought up the rear
of the parade, reminding everyone present of
the upcoming holiday seaston.