On a chilly Halloween Eve, hundreds of youngsters and adults lined Broad Street from downtown Riverton to Palmyra’s Legion Field, continuing a tradition started in the late 1960s by borough officials.
Since then, the Palmyra Halloween Parade has grown into a huge celebration, and this year was no exception, as crowds lined up early on Oct. 30 to watch floats, ghouls and goblins make their way down the one-mile route during one of the biggest parades ever.
Delighting the on-lookers were great performances by the Durning String Band and the KG Kweenz of Konglomerate Dance Team. Scaring the youngsters – who were otherwise preoccupied collecting candy thrown to them by people on decorative floats – were Frankenstein and his bride walking past them on stilts.
This year’s Grand Marshal was Coach Mike Packenberg, a lifetime Riverton resident and Palmyra High School graduate who has been an educator, assistant principal and boys’ soccer coach at his alma mater for 22 years. His wife Kim is also a PHS graduate and they have two daughters.
Under his tutelage, the soccer team won three NJSIAA sectional titles and in 2009 were the Group 1 state champions. Coach Papenberg was selected as the Grand Marshal “in recognition of his sustained service, leadership and dedication to young people” by the Palmyra Halloween Parade Committee.
Members of the committee, who are already planning next year’s parade, include Mindie Weiner, Allison Young, Kwan Hui, Sarah Conway, Kathy Kovach, Jen Crean, Jessica Porter and Cecelia Boheim.
Fire engines and police cars with flashing lights and sirens were ever-present during the parade, as were Cinnaminson and Palmyra high school students and various community floats created by residents and civic clubs.
The children’s final thrill came when Santa Claus ended the parade waving to all of them and wishing them a great holiday season.
Albert J. Countryman Jr./The Sun
Youngsters look in amazement as the Bride of Frankenstein walks down Broad Street in stilts during the Palmyra Halloween Parade on Oct. 30. Cinnaminson High School Pirates have a great time entertaining the crowd, while a Colonial re-enactor pulls a tractor down the mile-long route. Families enjoy watching the festive parade while a magician performs magic tricks at the annual celebration.
