More than 6,000 turned out Tuesday for Tamaqua’s yearly spooky spectacle.

The 57th Annual Tamaqua Halloween Parade sponsored by the Tamaqua Lions Club featured hundreds of marchers and participants vying for $1,350 in prizes, including a top prize of $500 among marchers and floats.

The fast-moving, upbeat event drew spectators from a wide region.

“I’m here because my sister and her husband live here,” said Robert Hoffman of Lehighton. Hoffman, who routinely portrays a zombie at Allentown’s Dorney Park where he’s worked for three years, showed up wearing an oversized Dracula costume towering eight feet high. He was accompanied by daughter Amber dressed as a goblin.

The event attracted many who have children or grandchildren participating.

But others simply showed up because they know the two-hour extravaganza is rich in entertainment.

“I’m here for old time’s sakes,” said Dr. Peter Baddick of West Penn Township. “This is a tradition.”

Dance troupes and elaborate floats were among the crowd favorites.

One such entry, “Welcome to the Jungle,” featured towering lights and jungle characters. The rear of the float captivated crowds with a realistic King Kong-type ape that reached out with large hands to try and grab unsuspecting spectators.

The sophisticated entry by Andreas Silicone captured the night’s top prize.

Many marchers stopped and performed before a judges’ stand set up at the Tamaqua Area Historical Museum on the 100 block of West Broad Street.

There, spectators were treated to a live remote radio broadcast by WMGH-FM with Ann Marie Calabrese and Polka Joe Manjack.

The event closed East and West Broad Street, Route 209, a U. S. highway. It also required traffic coordination along Route 309, a busy state highway, and traffic control at various borough streets.

To make it happen, parade organizers turn to local volunteer groups such as Tamaqua Wireless Assocation and Tamaqua fire police.

Fire police officers Brent Confer and Joe Shamonsky said the Tamaqua unit has been managing traffic detail at the parade for years and appreciates outside assistance.

“We’re grateful to have support from others. We have Lansford, Coaldale and West Penn Township fire police here, too,” said Confer.

Judges announced other winners late Tuesday. Second place went to West Penn Scouts (756), third place, The Dance Factory and its Whoville theme, fourth place, 9 U Tamaqua Area Youth Soccer Association and their Night Before Christmas entry, and fifth place, Out of this World, by the Teprovich family.