Three days before the official trick-or-treat festivities in Jim Thorpe, children lined the town's streets Sunday hoping to get a candy appetizer.

They didn't leave disappointed as the 20th annual Jim Thorpe Halloween Parade drew a steady crowd on the east side of the borough.Floats featured popular characters from the Disney movie "Frozen," the lovable minions from the "Despicable Me" flicks, and the famous Scooby-Doo. Santa Claus even brought up the rear of the procession, signaling that the holiday season is right around the corner.Taking first place for floats, however, was a much more creepy representation.A mock funeral scene portrayed by the Patchtown Players, an acting group out of the Freeland/Drums area, took home the top honor."It was spooky," said Roy Stull, one of many Jim Thorpe area residents who pulled up a chair along Center Street, one of the parade's main thoroughfares. "I didn't realize they were actually carrying someone until they got closer to us."Vince Kundrik portrayed the corpse.Cub Pack 138 had the second place float. Their float honored Jim Thorpe, the athlete after which the town is named.In the group contest, the Eclectic Circus won first prize. Based out of Jim Thorpe, the group included multiple stilt-walkers who brought entertainment to the crowd."I think it was neat, especially for the children," said John Baldwin, of Nesquehoning. "They are always amazed to see people so tall. Stilt walking is an art form. That's for sure."Dance Explosion, of Nesquehoning, finished in second place for groups with their Ghostbuster theme.The parade began at Jim Thorpe Area High School with its grand marshal William R. "Butch" Reabold Jr., who owned Reabold Coal and Building Supply Inc. until retirement. He is also a current member of the board of directors of the Mauch Chunk Trust Company.According to event organizer Kathy Schwartz, of the Jim Thorpe Lions Club, over 400 people participated in the parade, making it a huge success."We had a great time," said Susy Brady, of Jim Thorpe. "I brought my daughter out and she really enjoyed the animals from the Carbon County Friends of Animals. It's a great event that spreads a lot of joy to young and old."Other floats and groups included Jim Thorpe Lions Club, Pa. Girl Scout Troop 30133, Carbon County Lions/Lioness 2014 Fair Queen and Court, Jim Thorpe Area High School Band, Committee to Re-Elect Doyle Heffley, Carbon County Republican Committee.Brownie Troop 30140, Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, Jim Thorpe Fire Department, Hawk Mountain Highlanders, Girl Scout Troop 34092, Bowmanstown Fire Company, Nesquehoning Girl Scouts.Our Lady of the Angels Academy Band, Carbon County Democrats Patti Borger for State Representative, Carbon County Friends of Animals, Girl Scouts (Sprouse), Mauch Chunk Motorheads, Carbon County Shriner's Club, Rajah Shrine Clown, Smith and Dellecker for Commissioners 2015.Perseverance Jazz Band, Daisy Girl Scout Troop 30134 (Junior Girl Scout Jelly Beans), West End Fire Company No. 2, Palmerton, Liberty Oil & Propane, Forks of the Delaware Shriner's Club, Rajah Shrine Anglers Club, East Mauch Chunk Eatery, Juke Box Cruisers Club and Santa Claus.Judges were Dr. Clem McGinley, Thomas Lesisko and John Bilsak.