Mahanoy City, Girardville uphold Halloween tradition
Oct. 31—Halloween parades steeped in tradition were held Sunday in Mahanoy City and Girardville, bringing youngsters and their families out to enjoy warm autumn weather.
In Mahanoy City, the West End Fire & Rescue Company sponsored the annual parade, as it has for nearly five decades.
Company member John Honus said Sunday's parade marked the 47th year the company has been sponsoring both the Halloween parade and annual Easter egg hunt.
Honus said it gives company members a warm feeling seeing children and their families enjoying the parade in costumes, laughing and smiling.
"It's all for the little ones," he said. "They get to walk down Centre Street with a band."
In Girardville, the annual parade sponsored by the Girardville Good Time Club also spans more than four decades.
Mayor Judy Melbaum said any event that benefits residents of the borough is good.
"They're out enjoying the nice weather; it's good for the kids," she said.
Among those walking were 75-year-old borough resident Rosalie Kuzma.
Dressed as a pirate, Kuzma was accompanied by "Pegleg" the talking parrot, in memory of her real-life Amazon parrot, which died in April at age 34.
The parrot was 2 months old when purchased and lived with Kuzma its entire life.
"Once in a while I let the inner child in me take over and have some fun," she said. "You're never too old to enjoy yourself and participate in whatever life offers you."
