The annual Memorial Day parade in Summit Hill might have been a bit smaller than in some past years, but it was still very impressive.

The annual parade consisted of three divisions. Although there were fewer bands and fire apparatus and not as many floats as in many parades held here in the past, the number of spectators viewing the march seemed much larger than at some parades in the past.

Much of the reason can be attributed to the beautiful weather in which the parade was held - sunny skies and temperatures around 80.

The parade remains arguably the largest annual tribute to fallen soldiers in Carbon County.

The 40-minute march was led by grand marshal Stephen Figura, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

Figura signaled the start of the parade by ringing the large cast-iron bell in Ludlow Park. He was assisted by Summit Hill Mayor Jeffrey Szczecina.

There were just two high school bands in the line of march. The Panther Valley High School band was the only school from Carbon County participating. The other band was the Shenandoah High School Blue Devils Band.

There still was plenty of other music featured. The band Free Range Folks was joined by several other musicians and played patriotic music along the route. Members wore shirts advertising the 2022 Hootenanny event in Ludlow Park, scheduled June 26.

The Clayton and Brad Musical Trio rode on a float playing music. They were followed by the entertaining East Coast Pirate Entertainment, featuring individuals dressed as pirates and some even walking on stilts. A mermaid was a centerpiece on a small float the band had in the parade.

Musician David Matsinko rode on the back of a pickup truck strumming a guitar.

Of course since it was Memorial Day, a main focus was on veterans groups.

Summit Hill American Legion Post 316 and Legion Auxiliary Unit 316 led the parade, along with the grand marshal and 2022 Poppy Queen Reagan Jones.

Veterans from the Korean and Vietnam Wars rode in vehicles in the first division

A float by the Summit Hill Historical Society listed in large letters all members of the community who died defending our freedoms.

There were several veterans groups represented, including the Lansford American Legion, Coaldale VFW, Schuylkill-Carbon Marine Corps League and Carbon County Navy Club Ship 260. All the Panther Valley Fire Departments had participation in the parade with apparatus. Also in the lineup were Lehighton Ambulance Association, Mahoning Valley Ambulance, Hamburg Ambulance, Lehighton Fire Department and Mahoning Valley Fire Department.

The Summit Hill and Lansford Fire Departments combined a marching unit and had over 30 members in line, wearing navy dress suits.Members of the Summit Hill Memorial Day Committee said the parade went as planned. “We had no problems,” said member Richard Vermillion. “It went very well.”

Dawn Gower of Brodheadsville said this is the first parade she has seen in several years in Summit Hill. “I love it,” she said. “It’s fabulous.”

David Scheitrum of Summit Hill agreed. “It’s an awesome parade,” he said. “I’m enjoying it.”

He said he especially enjoys seeing “all the kids having fun.”