The 52nd Annual Lehighton Halloween Parade was held under cloudy skies on Saturday. The sun did make an appearance, plus some sprinkles, which resulted in a rainbow that appeared in the sky during the parade.

The parade featured seven divisions and 72 groups, one of the longest parades in recent years.

Local resident Fran Haas was the grand marshal.

Haas, whose late husband Hilbert “Hilly” Haas was one of the founders of the parade, has been a crossing guard for 57 years.

When asked about her role as the grand marshal, she said, “It’s wonderful!”

The Lehighton High School Indian Pride Band and Cheerleaders, the Dieruff High School Huskie Marching Band from Allentown, and the Allentown HOBO Band provided music for the parade.

The Franklin Township Vol. Fire Company had a Dalmatian riding along in one of their fire trucks. Dogs were also along the parade with V’s Grooming and the “Mannered Mutts Dog Training.”

Other fire companies from Lehighton, East Penn Township, Mahoning Township, and Parryville had vehicles in the parade, as did Lehighton and Mahoning Ambulances.

A variety of classic automobiles were on display by members of the Pharaoh Car Club and the Jukebox Cruisers.

Girl Scout Troop 3241 featured a float “Girl Scouting is a Triple Word Score,” with the Scouts all wearing Scrabble game letters.

Children and adults from the LHH Learn & Play Childcare walked and rode a float, dressed up in characters from the Toy Story movies.

Country Junction’s float featured a small barn with barn animals, and a lot of bubbles floating around, with the Chicken Dance in the background.

Other local businesses in the parade included Koch’s TV & Appliances, Wendy’s Restaurant, Sapore’s, Liberty Oil & Propane, Klingle’s Lawncare, Vlossac HVAC, Griff’s Ale Haus & Grille, DTZ Contracting, Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, Pizza Como, Mason’s Cold Beer Too, Home Comfort Solutions, Santa and Dream Captures Photography.

Three generations of the Vachon family from Lehighton were enjoying the parade as it came down Coal Street. Berni Vachon, Luke and Lisa Vachon, and their children Anthony and Kathleen Vachon.

“Yes!” Kathleen exclaimed when asked if she was looking forward to the candy that would be tossed to the children.