Phillipsburg-Easton Hallowfest Parade held under sunny skies and mild temperatures

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

When their Halloween costumes first arrived a few weeks ago, toddlers Austin and Adam Fritz were a little apprehensive toward their elephant and lion suits, said their mother Leah Fritz.

But this afternoon, the 2-year-old twins were donning their costumes proudly in Easton's Centre Square for the annual Phillipsburg-Easton Hallowfest parade.

Austin, the elephant, and Adam, the lion, who live in Monroe County, came to Easton specifically for the parade, Leah Fritz said. They weren't the only ones. Hundreds of people lined the first few blocks of Northampton Street and Centre Square in Easton to watch marching bands, fire trucks and other parade participants.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said this was the 60th Hallowfest Parade. The parade was originally scheduled for Oct. 30, but it was postponed because of a bizarre fall snowstorm one day earlier that left thousands in the area without power -- some for days.

But the snow melted away and gave way to mild temperatures for today's parade, which was sponsored by the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Police escorting the parade sounded their sirens and firetrucks blasted their horns. Children lining the streets scrambled to collect candy being thrown by some groups in the parade. What the kids didn't collect the street sweepers, which brought up the rear, swept away.

Bill and Coralee Kellow of Easton were on the lookout for something else -- their son Daniel Kellow, who plays alto saxophone in the Easton Area High School Red Rovers marching band. The Kellows sat on Northampton Street just off Centre Square and said this might be their last time they attend the parade because their son is graduating high school.

"It's kind of our last parade," Coralee Kellow said.

Along with Easton, the Phillipsburg Stateliner and the Wilson Warrior high school marching bands entertained the crowd.

Several other groups joined in the parade like boy scouts, animal groups and local politicians looking to get their faces out before Tuesday's election.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2011/11/hundreds_turn_out_for_phillips.html