Dinosaurs, grim reapers and monsters march in Halloween parade in Pottsville

Ron Devlin, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·2 min read

Oct. 26—POTTSVILLE — The streets of the city teemed with ghouls, grim reapers, witches, princesses and various creatures, as the Halloween parade returned Tuesday evening to Pottsville after a two-year hiatus.

Mayor Dave Clews heralded the return of the parade, which was canceled due to the pandemic in 2020 and bad weather in 2021.

"It (the parade) still says small-town America," according to the mayor, who did not wear a costume. "You get to see friends, high school bands and Scout troops."

The parade was sponsored by the Pottsville Lions Club and the Pottsville Business Association.

Leo the Lion, standing proudly atop a classic 1968 Chevelle Malibu station wagon with car collector and club member Jerry Enders at the wheel, led the line of march from 12th Street to Centre Street.

"We're glad to be back," said Earl Lins, scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 615 of Pottsville, who dressed as a leprechaun.

Scouts from the troop, sponsored by St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, formed a color guard that led a unit in the parade. Hailey Harris, who carried the American flag, was joined by William Harris, Kalib Harris and Joshua Scott, members of Troop 615.

The Bulldogs midget football team cheerleading squad chanted while marching down Market Street.

Kristen Vidal, a coach, wore a Mardi Gras mask as she marched alongside cheerleaders Maria Centen, Samara Lucsky and Bobbie James.

For Lois Stoudt, it was a good night to get out and spend time with her son David, who dressed as the grim reaper.

In the spirit of the spooky holiday, Cholly Shields turned his 2005 Mazda MX-5 into a sporty version of a hearse.

Riding proudly in Shields' sports car? A couple of skeletons wearing Halloween finery were dressed to the nines.

At the corner of 12th and Market, Rebecca Martin brought her daughter, 1-year-old Sophia, to her first Halloween parade.

Sophia's still a little young to appreciate Halloween, but her mom said it was "a nice night for a parade."

Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007